Oil companies delaying permission to new LPG outlets in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 15: To overcome the shortage of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) the government has decided to set up 172 new gas agencies at different districts of the state to provide smooth supply of LPG to the people at their doorstep.

According to the sources keeping in view the acute deficiency of the refilling station of the LPG these agencies has been set up through private gas distributors across the state.

Sources further said that the proposal for opening new gas agencies was pending with the department from the past more than two years due to the continuous delay from the side of oil companies.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Centre already fixed the number of gas cylinder upto 6 cylinder which was later increased to 9 cylinder so it is difficult for the people to cope up this deficiency if they didn’t get this much on time.

Many of the consumer complaint that due to the shortage of gas distributors they were unable to get the refilled cylinder on time, even at many times it took more than a month to get it.

Sources added that out of 172 new gas agencies 55 would be issued under regular dealership whereas 117 under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen LPG Vitral Scheme (RGGLV).

There are three oil companies in the state included Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Limited (BPL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) which distribute LPG refills.

“As per norms there should have been 1700 distributors to cope up with 10 lakh consumers” said a insider.

When contacted Minister for Consumer Affair Public Distribution (CAPD), Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan said that out of 172 the concern has advertised for 98 agencies for which the process in going on for rural areas.

It will take around six month to complete the whole procedure only after these gas agencies will start functioning” said Choudhary. He further said that work for remaining will be takeout in second and third phase.