Erratic connection charges blot IOC's efforts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2016 : Even though supply and distribution of LPG has improved remark-ably in the State leading to considerable reduction of backlog in terms of LPG refill distribution, nothing visible has been done so far to check collection of inflated charges for new LPG connections.

Talking with The Sangai Express, some active consumers expressed keen desire for the concerned authority to take up some concrete measures so that people have clear idea about the non-uniform and inflated connection char-ges fixed by distributors on their own whims.

New LPG connection charge as fixed by the IOC is Rs 6186.This amount is inclusive of the prices of a gas stove, two cylinders and other accessories.

Item-wise price list is Rs 2300 for two cylinders (Rs 1150 for one cylinder), Rs 1800 for gas stove, Rs 100 for pressure regulator, Rs 1486 for LPG, Rs 150 for hose pipe, Rs 250 for hot plate inspection, Rs 50 for installation demonstration and Rs 50 for blue book.

As against Rs 6186 fixed by the IOC, distributors have been charging Rs 8500 to Rs 10500 for a new connection.

Some distributors even charge Rs 11,000 for a new connection.

The consumers maintained that the IOC and the State Government need to take up stringent measures to check distributors from charging fresh connection fees on their whims.

With the primary objective of doing away with dependence on firewood for domes- tic cooking and avoid concomitant health hazards, both Government of India and IOC have been working to provide LPG connections to all the people without unnecessary delays and hassles.

However, in Manipur, people often find the process of obtaining new connection both lengthy and tardy.

Moreover, the money charged for fresh connection is exorbitant.

IOC is one of the largest commercial enterprises of the country and it has been working relentlessly to make all oil pumps operating in Manipur popular and trustworthy.

Apart from beautification of oil pumps, prices of fuel are displayed at the dispensing machines.

On the other hand, price of LPG is also displayed at the cash counters of distributors but most of them are hand-written.

But none of the distributors display the charge for obtaining fresh connection which leaves ample room for the distributors to charge inflated amounts.

Together with the total amount, item-wise price list for cylinders, hose pipe, pressure regulator etc should be displayed.

Given these large scale irregularities regarding application for new LPG connections, the IOC need to take up some concrete measures at the earliest, said the disgruntled consumers.

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