IndianOil to launch preferred time LPG cylinder delivery
Chennai   06-Jan-2010
A scheme under which gas refill cylinders will be delivered at a time preferred by customers on any day on payment of additional charges is to be launched shortly by IndianOil. <b>Chennai - selected city</b> Chennai is the only location in Tamil Nadu that figures in the list of select cities across the country where the oil company is planning to introduce the scheme on January 15. A senior IndianOil official said the scheme was being launched on a trial basis. Based on the customer response, it would be extended to other locations. Under the scheme, the customers could specify three hours at a stretch - from dawn to dusk on any day, including holidays and Sundays - during which they should be delivered the refills. Towards this, they need to make an additional payment of Rs.50 per cylinder. Indane distributors said the scheme would benefit particularly working couples, as they need not make arrangements to receive the cylinders when the house is locked. In the event of the distributors not being able to supply the cylinders within the preferred time, the additional charges would not be collected. <b>Penal provisions</b> A circular issued recently by Indane Area Office said, “Penal provisions as per the Marketing Discipline Guidelines will apply to those distributors failing to supply refills as per the preference of the customers unless for reasons beyond their control.” <b>No out of turn delivery</b> “No out of turn refill delivery should be made [to such customers],” the circular said. The refills would only be delivered as per refill booking order seniority. To rule out possibilities of manipulation for extra charges, the distributors have been advised to properly maintain records for every customer opting for the service, which would be activated only after customers register their request in writing or through e-mail to the respective distributors. According to an Indane distributor, the launch of such a scheme is a long-pending demand of LPG distributors. Under the existing system, many of them supply at the time specified by customers at no additional charges. Sometimes customers are not available at home at the specified time. Such situations would be avoided due to the additional charges. <b>Clearance obtained</b> The IndianOil official added that the scheme was being launched after getting clearance from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and other oil companies could follow suit.