The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will sanction four more gas agencies in the district, IOC (LPG) Manager Indra Prakash said here on Tuesday.
The new agencies would be at Vadakara, Thiruvambadi, Punoor, and Mavoor. The modalities had been worked out. Discussions were being held to allot agencies at the panchayat level, he said at an open forum on the distribution of LPG cylinders, at the Collectorate conference hall here.
The workers’ strike at the gas filling centre at Chelari in Malappuram district had resulted in the shortage of LPG cylinders in the region. The IOC had initiated steps to resolve the strike with the participation of the District Collector, Malappuram. For the time being, LPG cylinders would be supplied from Palakkad and Coimbatore, Mr. Prakash said.
The consumers should ensure that the cylinders brought by agencies were safe and without leak. The agency should be informed if there was a leak in the cylinder. Consumers may call 0484-235 6247. The toll-free number is 1800224344. Another number is 0495-237 0213 (9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays). Households should use the safe hose supplied by the agencies. These were guaranteed for five years. The only way to solve the conflict between consumers and gas agencies was to book LPG cylinders via the interactive voice response system, he said. The open forum received 51 complaints. District Supply Officer K. Sreelatha and IOC officials promised stern action against gas agencies if their employees behaved rude with consumers or took delivery charges.
