B Bisheswar Sharma
IMPHAL, May 9: `Where have all the gas gone?` is the question of every Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG Gas consumers of the state today.
In Manipur when it comes get a chance for someone to get a quota of LPG at an agency, one has to sacrifice at least 2 to 3 hours of time to get one.
Before the DBTL, Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG was launched a family can have multiple registration book usually in blue in colour technically called a `blue book`™ where all the details of bookings and supply of cylinder are noted in.
It was also the time when black marketers were doing very lucrative business and so does the agencies.
The launching of the new DBTL scheme, consumers are hoping the best to get the maximum benefit out of it.
However, the agencies are continuously looting the consunmers through other existing guidelines that are operating in parallel with the new DBTL scheme. To mention few, the centralisation all the agencies under one roof, attachment of affidavit during new connection, frequent inspection from IOCL, explosive license renewals refill centre in the state itself, online booking through internet etc.
There are no agencies or precisely not a single subsidised LPG consumer in the state of Manipur has ever able to get his quota of 12 cylinders in a year.
For instance, a person who wants to have a new connection applies with all documents (KYC) also known as Know Your Customer along with an affidavit duly signed by Oath Commissioner, An Advocate and the deponent.
When getting a single cylinder with cook top, pipe and the regulator, one has to pay from Rs 7000 to Rs 8000 against the bill of Rs 1150 only and also for the affidavit the concerned agency charges Rs 300 to Rs 500 from the customers.
However, it has been alleged that the highly legitimate affidavit is forged by the agencies. It may also be mention that at any given environment subsidies LPG cylinders are always available at black market, in fact it was cheaper before the launching of BDTL.
While in a queue for the quota of LPG, a consumer said `Where have all the gas gone?` Showing his blue book said that there were only four cylinders made available for the year 2014, the consumers showed its frustration and helplessness.
It is also learnt that the explosive license are given according to the photos submitted by the concern agencies at Guwahati office where most of the photos are `photoshoped`™ or done cosmetic accordingly to the regulations.
It is pertaining to note that in connection with the LPG issue desperate consumers has resorted to forming many associations to counter such menace.
Meanwhile, LPG may be scarcely available but the commercial LPGs are hard to sale from the agency side.
Anyone would be put to the thorn if upper capping of 12 subsidised LPG is made available legitimately or it one big question to all concern with IOCL `where have all the gas have gone?`™