LPG supply hit, firms face wrath of consumers

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

LPG consumers in Punjab are being forced to wait for 10-15 days for a refill, especially in smaller towns and villages, as the supply chain of the second-largest player in the state, Bharat Gas, has been disrupted.

The long-waiting period for getting LPG has been reported in Patiala, Sangrur and Ludhiana, with the state recording 1.15 lakh pending refills of LPG cylinders (as on September 16). In the past 10 days, incidents of delivery staff of the oil marketing company being roughed up by irate consumers have been reported in Samalsar in Moga, Khanna, Sirhind and Amloh.

Ravjot Singh, an LPG distributor in Khanna, said it was a daily problem and since the supply from the Lalru plant of Bharat Gas was erratic and slow, they were left to face the wrath of consumers.

Consumers and LPG distributors across the state have complained that the maximum shortage is being witnessed by distributors and consumers of Bharat Gas. Gurpal Singh, president, Federation of LPG Distributors of Punjab, said the waiting period for getting LPG had increased in all three oil marketing companies, though it was alarming in Bharat Gas.

A senior official of Bharat Gas, B Mondal, told The Tribune that the problem had arisen because of issues in import of natural gas, though he promised that it would be resolved within a few days. “I am in Mumbai and the issue is being discussed with the management,” he said.

Though Bharat Gas officials have denied this, many believe that the problem started after an inspection of the firm plant by a committee, which found the LPG and petrol being brought in the plant from the same siding of railhead. “This was objected to, and LPG production has been halted till different railway sidings can be created,” said a source, whose statement has not been corroborated by Bharat Gas officials. Indian Oil Corporation officials have denied that their consumers are facing any shortage, as in the case of the “other oil marketing company”.