Getting LPG- cylinder is no easy task?
Lucknow   08-Sep-2010

Almost a week ago, Amita Ranjan, a homemaker from Aliganj, booked a cylinder with a gas agency. However, she has still not received the same, which is causing her much trouble in managing things at her place.

Another housewife from Mahanagar complained that her gas cylinders get exhausted even before a month could end. "Considering the minimal use of LPG gas at my home. I am sure it would last for more than a month. However, the reality is not quite the same. This clearly indicates that the gat cyiitxlers are not filled to the fullest,* she said. Such instances only indicate that the gas cylinders are being tampered and the probability of gas theft cannot be ruled out.

The problems of late delivery and comparatively lighter cylinders have become a common phenomenon in most parts of the city. However, instead of taking note of the problem, both dealers and the gas agencies are busy blaming it on one another.

A Nishatganj-based gas service provider said no tampering was done on their part. "We ensure that the gas cylinders are properly sealed till they reach the customer's house. However, there have been complaints of light cylinders and we are equally serious about the issue." he said.

Discarding the allegations, an official from IndianOil said the customers should carefully check the seal and weight of the cylinders before making the payment. The delivery man carries with them the weighing scale, which declares the exact weight of the cylinder, he said.

The official further added that normally the empty cylinder weighs about 15.5 kg (which may vary a bit depending upon the material of the cylinder). The net weight of the gas is 14.2 kg. When we combine them both, the gross weight of the cylinder should be 29.7 kg.

"In case of less weight, the customer should immediately file a complaint with the gas agency," he said. The official further informed that a number of field officers are displayed across all the offices of the distributors.

In addition to this, there are customer service cells as well where one can file a complaint.

As per the official of another gas agency, such frauds are mainly caused due to conversion of domestic use of LPG into commercial purposes. "The misuse of LPG other than domestic cooking is totally illegal still a lot of people are engaged in the act. Even the customers have connections by their name which is ultimately sold for commercial purpose." the official added. Many a consumer store extra cylinders which is also a major reason for the shortage, he quipped.