Srinagar, Oct 2: Kashmir valley has been severely hit by acute shortage of LPG with gas dealers “outrightly refusing” to provide cooking gas even to those consumers who have all requisite documents.
Consumers are aghast at the ‘dictatorial approach’ adopted by the gas agencies who even refuse to entertain ‘Red Book’ for providing LPG to domestic consumers, which according to union oil ministry is mandatory to get gas refill.
Situation on ground is such that, leave aside consumers who don’t have any documents, even LPG consumers with all requisite documents are being denied gas by the dealers, as they (gas dealers) are clearly stating that they won’t provide gas until the registration/verification process is completed. And they have even closed their cell numbers for registration of home delivery of cooking gas.
“Despite having all the documents, the gas dealer refused to provide me refill saying that he won’t give any refill till the rush of people visiting his office to get registration/ verification is lessened, ”Muhammad Ayub, a consumer said.
He said it is total “anarchy” here. “Despite having all the necessary documents I am being denied gas. I have run out of LPG at home, what I should do now?” lamented Ayub.
“Gas dealers are even punishing the consumers who have all documents. The state government on the other hand is just playing to the galleries by dishing rhetorical statements,” a local said.
Pertinently, state government had recently announced that J&K has sufficient stock of LPG available that can last for two months. “But on the ground LPG is not available anywhere, leave aside stocking for two months,” locals said ridiculing claims of the government.
Consumers argue that if gas dealers are stating that there is rush of people at their offices, why don’t they provide home delivery so that it will lessen the burden on gas dealers, as consumers don’t have to visit these agencies.
“But ironically gas dealers have closed their communication links through which consumers used to do booking for home delivery,” said Imran Bhat, a consumer.

MINISTER SPEAKS
Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution assured that he will look into the look into the matter.
“I will direct the oil companies to resume home delivery to consumers,” he said.

DIRECTOR CAPD SPEAKS
Mir Mushtaq, Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) told Greater Kashmir that his department is monitoring the situation.
“So far oil companies have unblocked around 40,000 connections in valley and they are working hard to complete documentation of the entire consumer base in valley. So that the consumers can get LPG without any hitches,” Mushtaq said.
He said that if there are any complaints regarding black marketing or any other thing. “Consumers should contact our office and we will take action.”

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST