Agencies to come up in Kotekar, Kinnigoli, Surathkal
Ten additional LPG distribution agencies will come up in Dakshina Kannada district in the next six months. This was announced at a meeting organised by the newly-formed LPG and Ration (public distribution system) Consumers Forum at the Town Hall here on Monday.
People poured out grievances at the meeting.
Sales Officer for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) C.T. Venugopal said it had been proposed to open the new outlets at Bajpe, Mangaladevi Temple area, Surathkal, Punjalakatte, Kinnigoli, Mani, Sullia, Yadapadau, Bantwal, and Kotekar.
This was disclosed when dissatisfaction was expressed by the people of Ullal and Bantwal about the service rendered by the LPG agencies in their respective areas and a demand from Mangalore MLA U.T. Khader that the public sector oil marketing companies should open more agencies. The agency in Ullal had more than 20,000 connections and the agent did not have adequate infrastructure to handle the service. Splitting the agency would lead to better services to consumers, he said.
People from different areas complained about excess charges collected for refills, failure to weigh cylinders before delivery, rude behaviour of agents and their employees, failure to answer calls, and non-delivery of refills weeks after booking had been done. Mr. Venugopal said soon all companies would open SMS and IVRS channels for booking refills besides booking through websites. He said there was no rule that suggested that consumers could make new bookings only 21 days after the previous booking. He said the policy of all oil companies was to deliver as and when consumers needed refills and delivering within three or four days of booking.
Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies Department promised to take action if consumers brought delivery issues and other malpractices by LPG agents to his notice.
He said distribution of ration cards would be streamlined once the technological changes being made now were put in place in the district. All the data was computerised so that people could monitor the progress of their applications online.
The meet passed a set of 14 resolutions demanding increase in the LPG refill cap to 12, end to forcing consumers to buy stoves, cookers and other items, distribution of refills within two days of booking. President of the forum K. Dharmendra presided.
Keywords: LPG distribution, Consumers Forum
