Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 24: After the Union Government decision on September 14 to provide six subsidized LPG cylinders per year to the people per family, all the gas consumers in J&K State will now get just three LPG cylinders up to March 31, 2013.
This decision was taken by the State Government today after a meeting with the representatives from the Oil and Gas companies including Indian Oil Corporation, HP Gas and others. It was also decided in the meeting that any requirement of the consumer in excess of this quantity shall be supplied on the non-subsidized price, which may be around Rs 750 per cylinder. Not only this, nearly 1.25 lakh consumers have been blocked by the LPG companies in Jammu region. The process is going on in Kashmir valley, too.
While it has been decided to provide nine LPG cylinders on the subsidized rates to the consumers in the Congress ruled/ supported states, no decision has yet been taken regarding J&K so far. The State LPG consumers have been left to suffer in big way as the LPG companies have suspended home delivery on their own to the consumers on the plea of re-verification as a result long queues are now often seen outside LPG outlets in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and other areas in the State.
There is total chaos and confusion among the consumers.
Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department, Qamar Ali Akhoon told the Excelsior that till now no decision regarding provision of nine LPG cylinders to the J&K consumers on the pattern of Delhi State has been taken. He said in Delhi also, Union Government will provide only six cylinders and three additional LPG cylinders will be provided by the State. Now, because massive financial constraints were involved in it, the issue will be thoroughly discussed by State Cabinet. He however, maintained that till now State Government will also go by the decision of the Union Government.
Director CAPD Jammu, Parvez Malik, when contacted said that this decision of providing only three cylinders now onward during this financial year ending March 2013, was taken after holding meeting with the State level Coordinator of IOC, R K Shahab, Area Manager LPG (IOC) Joginder Khajuria, Pardeep Khyalia -Area Manager HP Gas and others besides some representatives from Consumer Council.
When asked why only three cylinders are being provided on subsidized rates while the policy was announced hardly a week back, the Director said the Government has decided to reduce three cylinders for this financial year as half of the year has already gone. From next financial year (April 2013) up to March 2014, the consumers will be provided six cylinders on subsidized rates. Mr Malik said even those consumers seeking cylinders on non-subsidized rates right now, will not be able to get it as the revised rates haven’t been notified so far. For this, he has written to the Government for its advisory as the public will suffer.
When asked was it not highly unjustified decision to provide just three cylinders now onwards up to March this year, Mr Malik said they have to go by the Government directive. Moreover, in one year, one family will get only six cylinders and in half year, only three. The Director further said that the home delivery of the consumers has also been suspended temporarily as all the LPG consumers are required to get their LPG connections validated by furnishing Know Your Customer (KYC) form, duly filled-in with latest identity and address/ residence proof. The form is also available on the website of Oil Companies, CAPD office besides the LPG outlets. For non-verification of connections, the notices are also being issued to the consumers by the Oil Companies and more connections are likely to be blocked in near future, he added.
Replying to another question, Mr Malik said consumers who have got their connections verified from the outlet staff/ manager, will get LPG cylinders home-delivery, only after they book the cylinders with the dealer on the production of Domestic Gas Consumer Card (DGCC), also known as red/ blue book provided by company. However, there was no bar on the issuance of new gas connection, Mr Malik maintained.
President Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu Y V Sharma said that this move of the Government was highly unjustified and unfair. He said the citizens of the country should not be treated as a commodity. If there is some policy change, the Government should device a mechanism so that its citizens are not put to harassment or victimization. Either, it should be implemented from commencement of new financial year or at least six months advance indication should be given by the Government to it citizens. He said home delivery has been abruptly stopped and re-verification started. Huge rush of consumers is seen at LPG outlets. The people are been put to harassment. They are totally confused.
He said if Congress ruled States have been promised nine cylinders on subsidized rates and then four and half cylinders should be provided in half year. He said consumption of gas is high in state like J&K where winters are so long. The Government must review its decision, otherwise, it will invite the massive public wrath, Mr Sharma maintained.
Associated Chamber of Traders Federation president, Y P Gupta, when contacted said that it has been announced to provide nine LPG cylinders in the Congress ruled States and providing three cylinders by Government in J&K up to March 2013, was highly unjustified move. He said hardly three months back, verification of papers was conducted by Oil/ LPG companies and now again it has been started on the plea that that earlier information given was not sufficient and fresh directives have come from Union Oil and Natural Gas Ministry. This amounts to harassment of the consumers and moreover, home delivery has also been stopped. He demanded that home delivery should not be disturbed.
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