Digboi: Assam’s Margherita Co-District administration has intervened in the LPG distribution system after complaints from consumers over delayed deliveries, with 310 consumers currently listed as awaiting delivery.
The development followed a Northeast Now report on Thursday about complaints of repeated booking cancellations, long waiting periods and difficulties in getting LPG refills despite DAC generation.
The administration initially issued a public notice making the pending LPG delivery list available at the Office of the Co-District Commissioner (CDC), Margherita. Consumers were asked to check their names and produce their LPG Blue Book/Consumer Book and DAC or consumer details.
The notice also stated that eligible consumers could receive their pending cylinders through the CDC office.
A later modified notice changed the arrangement. It stated that the pending delivery list would be available at M/S Margherita Gas Supply and directed listed consumers to collect their pending cylinders from the agency after verification.
The revised list contains the names of 310 pending consumers. Consumers were also asked to follow the instructions of officials and agency representatives during the distribution process.
However, officials of the Margherita Co-District administration told Northeast Now that LPG cylinders are now being distributed from the CDC office premises under the supervision of administrative officials.
The intervention by the civil administration has raised questions about the functioning of the concerned AOD Marketing Department, including its supervision of the distributor. The administration’s involvement in LPG distribution has also brought attention to the agency’s handling of the consumer complaints and the circumstances that led to the intervention.
Margherita Co-District Commissioner K. N. Chandana Jahnavi, IAS, has also reportedly contacted other LPG distributors and transporters operating within the jurisdiction to facilitate additional loads and help meet the requirement of consumers awaiting cylinders.
The development has raised questions about how the backlog at a commercial LPG distributor reached a point where the civil administration is overseeing distribution and seeking assistance from other players in the LPG distribution network.
Another issue concerns the reported practice of M/S Margherita Gas Supply retaining consumers’ LPG Books. The reasons for retaining the books, the period for which they are kept and the procedure followed by the agency remain to be clarified by the agency and concerned authorities.
The CDC also visited the agency three times on Thursday amid a rush of consumers and directed that all pending deliveries be cleared by October 2. The agency was warned of stringent action in case of non-compliance.
The location of the LPG godown has also come under scrutiny. The facility is situated in a busy bazar and residential area near Margherita Police Station.
Concerns have been raised over safety, traffic congestion, pollution, privacy and public movement around the LPG storage facility. These issues require examination by the competent authorities.
An alleged land dispute involving the retail outlet and godown premises is another issue associated with the agency. The Ram Mandir Trust has reportedly been claiming the plot through court proceedings.
While the ownership dispute is for the competent court to decide, authorities need to examine the related grievances and ensure that the use of the premises, public safety and other regulatory requirements comply with the law.
Sources said the AOD LPG Marketing Department needs to respond to continuing consumer complaints and alleged service lapses at Margherita. If action or penalties were previously imposed against the agency, questions remain over whether those measures were sufficient and what further supervisory steps have been taken.
Consumers have continued to complain about booking cancellations, delayed deliveries and prolonged waiting periods. Questions also remain about whether an immediate inquiry has been initiated, whether responsibility has been fixed and what corrective measures have been taken.
Meanwhile, one of Margherita’s established businessmen said the entire LPG distribution chain should be subject to an independent and comprehensive inquiry. He suggested that a probe by the CID or Anti-Corruption authorities, if considered appropriate by the competent government, could establish whether any irregularities involve the agency, AOD’s LPG Marketing Department, the CDC Supply Department or persons allegedly engaged in black-marketing across Tinsukia district.
He said a thorough investigation would be required to establish the facts and determine responsibility, if any.
The issue has now extended beyond delayed LPG deliveries, with consumer complaints, agency supervision, administrative intervention, godown safety, traffic and civic concerns, and the unresolved land claim forming part of the wider scrutiny.
The 310-name pending list and the administration’s repeated intervention, including the distribution of cylinders under the supervision of administrative officials, have put the LPG distribution system in Margherita under scrutiny.