LPG supply hit, as delivery boys strike work

The tussle between the management and delivery boys of Vedamata Gas Agency in Srikakulam has spawned a volley of problems for hundreds of LPG consumers. As a result, consumers in rural pockets are forced to travel all the way to the Srikakulam storage point to collect their refilled gas cylinders.

Customers standing in long queues at Arasavalli and waiting endlessly to get refills, which are normally delivered at their doorstep, is a common sight now. Many of them are seen carrying refilled cylinders in an unsafe manner. Some use auto-rickshaws, while other use two-wheelers to carry cylinders. A large number of women and elderly persons from places like Kalingapatnam, Gara, Srikurmam, Voppangi and Vatsavalasa have to travel to Srikakulam in the early hours for buying refills.

“An early solution should be found to solve the problem. Each of us is forced to spend around Rs. 150 towards auto fare to transport refilled cylinders. Many of us even lose the day’s earnings, as we spend almost the entire day waiting here,” said Ch. Prasada Rao, a customer.

The problem began when delivery boys allegedly started collecting an extra Rs. 40 from each consumer towards ‘tip’, which was opposed by the gas agency officials. The boys, it is said, cite meagre salaries, as justification. To curb the malpractice, the agency personnel asked consumers to make their own arrangements to collect the refilled cylinders from the storage point directly. But, the move has resulted in closure of the delivery mechanism at the storage point, causing severe hardship to consumers.

Srikakulam Joint Collector Vivek Yadav and District Civil Supplies Officer Ch. Ananda Rao reportedly served a show-cause notice on the gas agency and handed over the task of delivery to Sri Devi Gas Agency. “We will first clear the backlog of 10,000 refills in a couple of days by delivering refills from the storage point before reviving door delivery,” said I.M. Varma and Dabbiru Srinivasa Rao of Sri Devi Gas Agency.

Customers forced to travel all the way to Srikakulam storage point to collect refilled gas cylinders