Now, refilled LPG cylinders short of weight
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2016: Although LPG supply in the State has seen improvement thanks to the collective efforts of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), LPG transporters and distributors since a few months back, the issue of volume shortage in LPG cylinders has surfaced.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, a consumer of distributor, Yairipok Gas, on anonymity, said that there have been instances of volume shortage of filled domestic LPG cylinders volume.

The LPG consumer, who is a resident of Yairipok Keithel, said that on some occasions he got LPG refilled cylinder which is short of the normal weight.

When measured on reaching home, the refilled LPG cylinder is found to be short of about three or three and a half kilogram.

He said that he had no courage to complain about the shortage of LPG refill volume as the agency is owned by an influential politician of the State.

The consumers harbour apprehension that the distributor will misconstrue in case they register a complaint which could result in a misunderstanding.

There was an instance some four/five years back where the consumers urged the distributor to install a weighing machine, he said while adding that no weighing machine has been installed still.

He urged the authority concerned to look into the matter.

Although the office hours of Yairipok Gas are from 9 am to 4 pm, no booking has been entertained after 2 pm, he added.

Another disadvantage of the consumers is leakage of LPG cylinder.

The staff would distribute the leaked refilled cylinders after turning around the valve.

The staff would then advise the consumers to accept the leaked LPG cylinders saying that nothing will happen as they, who claim to have undergone trainings, know about it better, he said.

But on reaching home, they would discover that the cylinders have leakage.

Citing an instance, the consumer said that he came across an elderly woman and young girl bringing a leaked LPG refilled cylinder to the staff of the distributor.

The staff, after examining, said that the leakage happened due to absence of a rubber.

The staff asked them to purchase the 'rubber' .

The issue of volume shortage of refilled LPG cylinders is also said to be reported by consumers of LPG distributor, GBD Indane, Lamlong.

Saying that there are refilled LPG cylinders which are short of standard weight, a consumer of GBD Indane has urged the authority concerned to install weighing machine in order to weight the LPG refilled cylinders before delivery to consumers.

Meanwhile, a consumer of TDK Gas, Sekmai said that consumers of TDK Gas have to wait about three/four months to get a refilled LPG cylinders even as there are consumers of other distributors who have so far received 22, 15 or so refilled cylinders in a year.

He said that the consumers want refilled cylinders to be safe without any leakage.

Many consumers said that the presence of leaked LPG refilled cylinders has been felt since long time, no step has been taken up so far to ensure safety of the cylinders.

There have been instances where leaked LPG cylinders were dropped inside ponds.

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