Data centralisation process underway
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 31 2013 :
After the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has completed verification of LPG consumers and checked consumers having multiple connections, data centralisation process is going on at present.
Once the data centralisation process is completed, all LPG consumers including newly enlisted ones would be given a 16 digit consumer number.
With this consumer number, they would be allowed to take LPG refill in any part of the country, informed an official source.
Major portions of the data centralisation process have been completed.
Data of LPG consumers collected from across the country are being centralised in the IOC head-office at Mumbai with the help of cyber system.
16 digit consumer numbers of all LPG consumers would be entered into the cyber system.
Through the same system, IOC staff sitting at Mumbai head-office can easily detect if LPG consumer of one distributor is taking LPG refill from another distributor.
The now arrangement would allow LPG consumers to take LPG refill from any distributor operating within the State.
With the data centralisation process nearing completion, IOC has started issuing 16 digit consumer numbers to LPG consumers.
Accordingly, IOC has sent 16 digit consumer numbers to its Imphal office for issuance to already registered LPG consumers.
LPG consumers registered anew have been already issued their 16 digit consumer numbers.
LPG consumers seeking new connection should submit KYC forms, identity proof documents and affidavits to their nearest distributors which would forward the same documents and data to IOC Mumbai office for data centralisation.
Verification result of the data for consumers seeking new connection would be available in internet just five to ten minutes after their distributors have sent the data to IOC's Mumbai head-office.
Despite all the merits of the IOC's new arrangement, LPG distributors operating in Manipur may face certain difficulties.
Given the volatile law and order situation which is exacerbated by frequent bandhs and blockades resulting in acute shortage of LPG, distributors may face certain difficulties when consumers try to get LPG refill by hook and crook without bothering about IOC's rule and regulations including the lattest one.
There is also another rule which says that if any distributor is giving LPG refill at the subsidised rate to de-active consumers or consumers under suspension, IOC would recover the subsidy amount from the particular distributor, added the source.