LPG in the black market Home delivery system may be the antidote
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 23 2012: The home delivery system of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas would help in curbing the menace of black marketing of filled LPG cylinders, use of domestic cylinders at hotels and multiple collection by households, a survey has revealed.

It is learnt that the home delivery system of LPG cylinder was once in practice in the State.

However, due to the deteriorating law and order situation, the home delivery system could not endure, as cases of hijacking and usurping of LPG cylinders through threats and intimidation prompted the service providers to call it quits.

A random survey conducted by The Sangai Express on the feasibility of home delivery system reveals that the re-introduction of home delivery system would save time, energy apart from many other advantages.

Apart from this, it would help check the rampant sale of filled LPG cylinders in the black market and uncontrolled use of domestic LPG at hotels and multiple collection by a single household.

File pic of filled LPG cylinders being sold in the black market

The consumers would be able to book their gas through phone after 15-21 days of receiving the filled LPG cylinder and ensure timely service delivery, respondents noted.

The LPG distribution system enforced in the State can now be termed as 'sale and carry' .

As of now, the LPG filled cylinders are made available to the consumers after deducting transportation charge of Rs 8 as fixed by the IOC.

Ironically, gas agencies in the State charge that Rs 8 transportation fees if they deliver the cylinders at their extension points.

If and when the home delivery system is enforced, consumers have to pay the full amount including the transportation charge.

The moot question, as arose in the survey is: Will the transportation charge of Rs 8 as fixed by the IOC be manageable if and when the home delivery system is re-introduced in the State? .

If no, then the Government is expected to fix a fee that is acceptable to all parties.

But still, there are chances of hiking the fees by the service providers to the consumers.

Increasing the supply of LPG would inevitably be another challenge for the service providers for the introduction of home delivery system, the respondents pointed out.

Significantly, one disadvantage of the home delivery system could be the failure to meet the demands.

It may also be noted that shortages of LPG cylinders have been witnessed many time due to bandh, blockade along National Highways and bad condition of the highways.

However, the survey revealed that the introduction of home delivery service has more advantages over its disadvantages.