KOCHI: With complaints on various problems connected to the distribution of LPG cylinders becoming a routine issue, the authorities have decided to act tough on the offenders. The squad comprising the officials with the taluk supply offices (TSOs) and the city rationing offices (CROs) will conduct inspections to check the black marketing at least thrice a month.The authorities with the civil supplies department in the district has asked the oil companies and LPG distribution agencies to ensure that the consumers get the cylinders refilled within a period of 22 days after booking.At a meeting of representatives of oil companies, LPG distributing agencies and residents associations convened by the District Supply Officer (DSO) the other day, the oil companies informed that there is no scarcity of LPG now. “According to them, LPG can be supplied to the distributing agencies on payment of cash,” said M P Chandrakumar, DSO. But the distribution agencies attribute the delay to the holidays in the month of April. In the meeting, the representatives of the distribution agencies assured that they will do extra work to clear the backlog. It was based on the complaints received through the District Administration and Residents Association for Timely Solutions (DARTS) that the civil supplies authorities convened the meeting. Most of the complaints were regarding the delay in getting the cylinders refilled. There were complaints that the distributing agencies hardly responded to the phone calls. “The residents association representatives complained that the telephones at the offices of the distribution agencies are engaged all the time,” the DSO said. Though there are instructions that the number of telephones should be increased in proportion to the number of connections, none of the agencies abide by it. Frequent change in the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) number for booking the refill is also a headache for the consumers. The number was changed thrice after introducing the system. The authorities ensured that there won’t be any change in the existing number. The consumers should book for a refill within two days of delivery of LPG cylinder. The district administration will organise an ‘LPG open forum’ at the Collectorate soon. It will offer a platform for all the LPG consumers to raise the problems in this regard.
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