LPG distribution anomalies, shortfalls IOC, distributors agree on a slew of corrective measures
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 28 2015 : IOC's Guwahati based North East Integrated Sales Office Chief Manager (LPG Operations) Probin Boruah visited Imphal for two days and made a direct assessment of the difficulties encountered by LPG consu-mers in Manipur.

Following a series of reports published in The Sangai Express about various difficulties faced by LPG consumers in Manipur such as unavailability of LPG refills even to the minimum requirements in a year, IOC's Imphal based State Level Coordinator SI Singh requested the North East Integrated Sales Office to depute official(s) to collect first hand account of the difficulties faced by LPG con- sumers and distributors in Manipur.

In response to the request, Chief Manager Probin Boruah visited Imphal on November 26 and 27 .

During his stay at Imphal, Probin held a meeting with LPG distributors of the State apart from interacting with relevant officials of the State Government.

LPG distribution anomalies shortfalls IOC, distributors agree on a slew of corrective measures

The meeting held with LPG distributors took some key resolutions.

The meeting resolved that distributors should ensure transparent booking for refill and proper communication to consumers by displaying exact serial number of delivery of cylinder on daily basis.

It agreed to form an internal committee comprising of selected LPG distributors and IOC officials in order to foresee and ensure proper func- tioning of distributors in Manipur as per IOC's policy guidelines.

Distributors as well as IOCL officials present at the meeting were of the view that the Department of Supply and Distribution, Government of Manipur should constitute a task force with representation of IOCL.

The team would conduct surprise inspection of installation which are using unauthorised domestic cylinders so as to curb diversion of cylinders and ensure that subsidized refills reached deserving customers.

To improve LPG bulk availability at Sekmai LPG bottling plant, LPG trucks should be allowed to unload during extended hours and on holidays.

The meeting decided that transporters should make their drivers available at the bottling plant for unloading of TTs.

The meeting further discussed about obtaining approval from the Petroleum Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) for unloading TTs at Sekmai bottling plant during night.

It is reported that PESO officials are likely to visit Sekmai bottling plant for a final inspection on December 4 .

The meeting deliberated at length on the lop-sided distribution pattern witnessed in the State where some privileged/lucky consumers have received more than their annual quota while the vast majority of consumers have got just four/five refills.

The distributors and the IOC officials agreed to conduct random checking by a joint as and when LPG refills are distributed.

The State requires 2400 MT of LPG in a month but LPG supply rate never meets the exact requirement on account of poor transportation.

How frequent bandhs and blockades have been affecting LPG transportation was also discussed at the meeting.

There was bandh for two days in April, 13 days of bandh and blockade in May, blockade for seven days in June, curfew for 15 days in July, highway blockade for 11 days in August, bandh and blockade for six days in October, economic blockade for three days in November and LPG convoy movement was suspended for 16 days due to landslide and broken down bridge in September.

Taking due note of the supply shortfalls, the meeting decided to ship in at least 3000 MT of bulk LPG by December.

It also discussed about enjoyment of LPG subsidy who do not belong to BPL category and who can afford non-subsidized refills.