Journalism of Courage
Oil companies in the city have been directed to increase supply by at least 10 per cent,which is expected to bridge the demand and supply gap with regard to LPG cylinders. This was decided at a meeting chaired by Azam Pansare,president of the Consumer Welfare Advisory Committee appointed by the state government,at the district collectorate on Monday.
Bodke said there were several complaints from across the city about short supply of LPG cylinders. Especially after two days off in February owing to the civic elections,there was a delay in supply and the waiting period was extended. We received many complaints from the gas agencies regarding short supply, said Bodke.
Anil Shukla of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd,which has the largest market share in terms of consumers in the city,said there was some delay last month but otherwise there is no shortage. There is diversion of domestic LPG for commercial use. The rates of the domestic LPG and commercial LPG stand at Rs 30 a kg and Rs 80 a kg respectively. We have proposed that there should be more raids to check on the diversion of the use of domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes. Strict action should be taken against such units, said Shukla.
While gas agencies said they have been facing shortage, Usha Poonawalla,a gas agency representative,said increased supply would help as there was a waiting period of 8-10 days. To regulate the supplies,such a move was necessary. There has been a continuous shortage since last month. We would request that those who have two cylinders should expect a waiting period of 15-16 days while those who have one cylinder will be attended to on priority, said Poonawalla. The meeting also highlighted the fact that consumers have multiple connections and those having piped gas connections not surrendering their gas cylinders.
While the price difference of Rs 450 and Rs 1,594 has led to domestic LPG cylinders being used for commercial purpose,the agencies and the company officials are demanding regular raids to streamline the flow into the city. Satyajit Rajadhyaksha,from a gas agency near Swargate,said there was a backlog which needs to be addressed. The issue has been pending over a month now, he said.
People who have been booking gas cylinders have been asked to wait for at least 15-20 days. Sunita Rao,who recently booked a BPCL cylinder,was told that she would have to wait over 20 days. I made the booking a week ago,but the response is the same, said Rao.
