IOC pulls up LPG distributor for 'victimising' consumer
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 27 2016:
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has taken action against an LPG distributor for 'victimising' an innocent consumer for the mistake it committed.
Ms KK Indane Service, Imphal wrongly entered the name of its customer in the IOC's IndSoft but the consumer was made to pay for the folly committed by the distributor.
The consumer, Wangjam (O) Shanti was wrongly entered as Longjam (O) Shanti in the IOC IndSoft although there were supporting documents in original that the name is prefixed with the surname 'Wangjam' .
The consumer along with her husband Wangjam Premchandra approached the distributor, Ms KK Indane Service for correction of the name.
As per the instruction of the distributor, the couple submitted an affidavit on Sept 28, 2012, said Wangjam Premchandra who came to share the couple's ordeal at the office of The Sangai Express on April 23 .
Due to wrong entry of the surname, the consumer has not received any subsidy amount given by the Govt of India directly through consumer's bank account.
The efforts to change the surname through affidavit did not materialise.
The distributor collected Indane Customer Subscription Voucher and Domestic Gas Consumer Card along with Rs 320 from the consumer for changing the surname on April 2 this year.
The consumer was advised to get back to the distributor after 15 days, Premchandra said.
The process remained incomplete when the consumer approached the distributor after 15 days as advised.
Besides, filled LPG has not been issued to the consumer for a booking done on March 31.The consumer was made to enquire the matter of non-delivery at the distributor's booking office located at Tera Keithel and its delivery point located at Patsoi Lamkhai four/five times.
When the consumer asked for the filled LPG cylinder, she was told to come on the delivery date.
But when she went to collect the refill on the delivery date she was told that LPG cylinder was out of stock.
Again she was asked to come on the next delivery date.
However, when she went on the next delivery date, the staff told her that the one who was in-charge of the gas book had not come that day and she was told that she would be issued the LPG refill on non-delivery dates.
Expressing strong resentment over the alleged harassment, Wangjam Premchandra, husband of the consumer questioned why the distributor has been victimising the consumer for no fault of hers in a bid to conceal their misdeeds.
He asked why the consumer was made to obtain the affidavit at Rs 320 though the actual cost is Rs 200.He wanted a clear explanation from the distributor.
When the matter was brought to the notice of the IOC Assistant Sales Officer (LPG) N Kashung by The Sangai Express, the IOC official, after confirming the allegation, gave strict instruction to the distributor through telephone to refund the amount collected from the consumer and return the documents.
At the same time, the distributor instantly asked the consumer through phone to collect her documents and the amount from the office on Monday.
On Monday, Premchandra informed The Sangai Express that apart from returning the documents and the amount collected earlier, he was issued a refilled cylinder.