Digboi: Consumers in Margherita have complained about alleged delays in LPG deliveries, repeated booking cancellations and long waiting periods at M/S Margherita Gas Supply. They have also raised questions about the location and safety of the agency’s LPG godown, which is in a densely populated area of Margherita town in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
A large number of consumers, including women, waited at the agency for hours on Wednesday for LPG-related services.
An elderly consumer from Lazum Village alleged that his booking had been cancelled twice and that he had not received an LPG refill for nearly two months despite repeated attempts.
A woman consumer who visited the agency with her five-year-old son alleged that she had gone to the outlet three times without receiving the refill, even though a DAC (Delivery Authentication Code) had been generated for her booking.
Another consumer questioned the availability of cylinders, saying, “If consignments from the Digboi Gopaneri bottling plant are being ensured smoothly, then where are these cylinders going?”
A consumer who said he had waited in the queue from morning until 4.45 pm on Wednesday questioned whether bookings were being cancelled by the AOD LPG Marketing Department or the agency. The consumer also sought an inquiry and strict action if any irregularity by the agency is established.
The same consumer referred to the reported termination of the licence of Navajyoti Gas Agency at Hatigarh Tinali by the Supply Department over allegations of black marketing, booking cancellation and faulty customer service. The reference and the allegations would need to be verified by the concerned authorities.
Consumers also alleged that the LPG Marketing Department had imposed penalties on the agency several times. They said complaints about delayed services and booking-related problems had continued despite these measures. The nature and grounds of any such penalties would need to be confirmed by the department.
This reporter visited the area on Wednesday after a family claimed ownership of the disputed land where the godown is located. The godown was found at Verner Mill Bazar along Ram Janaki Naga Thakur Bari Road, near Margherita Police Station, in an area with residential and commercial establishments.
The Margherita LPG retail outlet and its godown are located around 100 metres apart in the town area. During the visit, adequate safety precautions were not found in place.
The competent authorities would need to verify whether the facility meets prescribed requirements for LPG storage, fire safety, emergency access and separation.
The Digboi Gopaneri LPG consignment facility is located away from the main town in an isolated area. It is situated at a higher elevation and has forests and open space around it.
LPG-related accidents reported in different parts of India have involved cylinder blasts and gas-related fires, causing damage to residential structures, deaths and injuries. These incidents do not establish that a similar accident would occur in Margherita. LPG storage and handling facilities near residential areas are required to follow prescribed safety standards.
K. N. Chandana Jahnavi, IAS, Co-District Commissioner, Margherita, visited the agency on Thursday morning and found consumers waiting in a queue.
She directed the agency to clear all pending LPG deliveries by October 2 and warned of stringent action in case of non-compliance.
An LPG Marketing official also questioned the continued crowds at the outlet despite the provision for doorstep delivery.
“When the delivery charge has already been paid to the agencies for doorstep delivery, why does an artificial crisis and constant crowd at the outlet persist?” the official wondered.
Consumers have sought action on complaints relating to booking cancellations, delayed deliveries and DAC-related issues. They have also called for verification of the godown’s safety compliance.