Dibrugarh, Jan. 12: The cooking gas crisis in Dibrugarh town has created a flourishing black market for cooking gas cylinders.

Investigations reveal that besides the four authorised agencies in town, cylinders are being sold at exorbitatnt prices in several paan shops, motor repair garages and even some roadside dhabas.

?There is a nexus between these agencies and middlemen, who purchase these cylinders in large numbers and then sell them to hotels or paan shops. A full cylinder available for Rs 287 costs something around Rs 400 in these unauthorised shops,? a source said.

There are also plenty of complaints regarding the weight of the cylinders.

Even though the Motor Vehicle Act does not permit the use of cooking gas cylinders for commercial purposes, many private vehicles use these cylinders.

The investigations also reveal a nexus between the Dibrugarh district administration and the four agencies. This has paved the way for black marketing.