Patna, Dec. 18: Short messaging service (SMS)-based LPG cylinder booking has invited long-term problems for the residents of the city.
They are annoyed over irregularity in the delivery of cylinders. Most blame it on the recently launched text message-booking system.
Oil companies said though there was a temporary disruption in the delivery of cylinders during the festivals, the situation has been brought under control.
Oil company officials said not following the norms while booking a cylinder was leading to the crisis.
On the other hand, gas agencies claimed that cylinders were being delivered within seven to 10 days after a successful booking.
Food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak acknowledged that there was an apparent shortage of 1,90,000 LPG cylinders in the state at present. He was, however, prompt to shift the blame to Delhi, saying that the state had little control in improving the situation.
“The recently launched text-based booking system is a bane. After sending a booking message, the cash-memo message arrives 21 days later. The cylinder finally arrives after another 15 days. This means one gets a cylinder after 36 days of making the booking. Earlier, cylinders arrived within three to four days of booking,” said Madhuri Sinha, a resident of SK Nagar.
Pratyush Thakur of Gardanibagh said: “In the past two bookings, my cylinder was delivered after 15-20 days following the receipt of the delivery message. The agency said priority was given to bookings made 15-20 days ago and my delivery would be done only after the backlog was cleared.”
Authorities seem to be in agreement with the claims of the residents.
“Complaints related to irregularity in the delivery of cylinders are genuine. There is insufficient supply of cylinders. Against the demand of five lakh cylinders in the state, the supply at present is a meagre 3,10,000, which makes for a shortage of 1,90,000 cylinders. Though we have had a word with the oil companies, the solution lies with the Centre. Compared to the availability of one gas agency for every 9,000-10,000 connections in metropolitan cities, one gas agency in Patna serves 24,000-25,000 connections. Since the Centre regulates the oil firms, the onus is on it to increase the number of agencies,” Rajak said.
He added: “If discrepancies are found in the functioning of any agency, we can only recommend cancellation of the agency. However, the oil company would take the final call. To keep tabs on black marketing of cylinders, we conduct monthly survey in every district by roping in district magistrate and sub-divisional officer.”
Indian Oil, the mother company of Indane, denied delay in delivery of cylinders.
“There is no delay in the supply of cylinders to the customers. Cylinders are delivered within six to seven days after a successful booking. The problem arises only when people start booking within a day or two after getting the delivery of the earlier cylinder. On an average, one household unit consumes one cylinder in 40 days,” said U.P. Chattopadhyay, LPG sales head, Bihar and Jharkhand region, Indian Oil.
He added: “Accordingly, one should try to send a booking message for a new cylinder only after 15 days of the delivery of the earlier cylinder. The cylinder would be delivered within six-seven days.”
