LPG consumers forced to go far
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 06 2015 : Whereas majority of the State's LPG consumers seldom get more than five subsidized refills out of 12 provided in a year, some consumers of Imphal have been compelled to go to distributors located far away after overstepping nearby distributors.

Some LPG consumers told The Sangai Express that they came to know about suspension of Porompat Gas Service by IOC by the first week of October.

Just about 20 days later, another notice was issued about transfer of all the consumers registered with Porompat Gas Service to GBD Indane located at Tinsid Road.

All the consumers of the erstwhile Porompat Gas Service were asked to get their new consumer numbers.

Accordingly, new consumer numbers were collected on October 25 and 26 .

Although consumer's fear for unavailability of subsidized LPG refill following the suspension of Porompat Gas Service was negated by the IOC's new arrangement, Loklaobung extension of the same distributor was also suspended.

Like other consumers, they were given new consumer numbers from GBD Indane.

Most of the consumers registered with Loklaobung extension are residents of Yaiskul, Yaiskul Janmasthan, Moirangkhom, Bamon Leikai, Bokul Makhong and Yumnam Leikai.

Following the suspension of the extension office, they are now forced to go to Tinsid Road to collect their LPG refills.

Now, they are compelled to travel at least 25 Kms in the to and fro journey for collecting a single refill.

There is Hrangchal Gas at Old Lambulane and RBD Indane at Khongman Mangjil.

Now many of these consumers have been asking what was the harm in transferring their consumer numbers to either of the two distributors or open a Loklaobung extension as done earlier.

Home delivery charge for one LPG refill as fixed by the Government of India and IOC is Rs 18 .

As the sum is too meagre, most of the LPG distributors run into losses when they provide home delivery service.

As such, most of the distributors have stopped home delivery service.

On the other hand, the authorities concerned have done very little to ensure home delivery service to LPG consumers who need it.

At the same time, it would not be correct on the part of IOC to compel consumers to travel 25 Kms just to take one refill, said the consumers.

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