Stagnant LPG supply nullifies cap hike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 29 2014 :
Although the Government of India has hiked the annual cap on LPG to 12 refills, LPG consumers in Manipur do not get more than 5/6 refills in a year.
Notwithstanding all the alleged discrepancies and failures of IOC in the State, the State Government, particularly the Minister concerned has done very little to address the public grievances.
Even though the number of LPG consumers has grown manifold in the last couple of years, the IOC has been shipping in LPG in the quantity based on the number of consumers registered five years back, according to information received by the press.
As such, the IOC is unable to provide more than 5/6 refills in a year.
Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant has all the infrastructure required for providing 12 LPG refills in a year to all consumers.
In addition, there are adequate numbers of bullet tankers for ferrying LPG.
However, IOC has been allegedly overlooking the matter and is not bothered to ship in adequate quantity of LPG.
Whereas IOC has been acting on their own whims and fancies, the State Government has shown no will to intervene in the matter.
In the States of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland, consumers get 12 LPG refills in a year on account of their respective Governments' intervention and strong pressure exerted upon IOC.
The Government ought to exert strong pressure on IOC so that LPG quota which could not be lifted in a particular month can be lifted in the next month as is the case with SK Oil.
Once there were only 18 LPG agencies but their number has swelled to 52 today.
The State Government cannot remain silent when the IOC is shipping in LPG required for just 1.26 lakh when the total number of LPG consumers in the State has surged to 2.50 lakhs, said a source.