The residents of Dhubri town have been reportedly facing a lot of problems due to irregular supply of LPG refilled cylinders since the last couple of months.
Consumers from Shanti Nagar, Nuniyapatty and other parts of the town have complained that they have not got their quota of refilled LPG cylinders for nearly a month now.
When contracted, Deputy Commissioner of Dhubri, Ananta Lal Gyani, told Northeast Now that shortages are happening due to non-issuance of cylinders by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and the matter has already been taken up with the higher authority of IOCL.
And on being no alternatives, the consumers have been forced either to ask for refilled cylinders from other families and neighbours who have lesser members or have been forced to purchase from black market.
LPG consumers of Dhubri town have observed that after taking over the charge of the district, Deputy Commissioner Ananta Lal Gyani had directed the LPG distributors in Dhubri town on November 1, 2017 to deliver the refilled LPG cylinders at fixed delivery points as decided by the district administration. And for smooth delivery of LPG cylinders to consumers, the Dhubri district administration had also fixed six delivery points and also days to deliver LPG cylinders across the town.
The delivery points are Mela Maidan (Tuesday/Wednesday), Children’s Park (Wednesday/Thursday), Panchu Ghat (Thursday/Friday), Shantinagar Puja Field (Friday/Saturday), Naya Masjid (Saturday/Sunday) and Stadium Field (Monday/Tuesday).
Tarkeswahr Paul of Shanti Nagar said that although he has kept a strict vigil on such menace since the last couples of months and the LPG distributors were distributing the cylinders at the fixed points smoothly, but shortage in supply of LPG cylinders has once again started to haunt the residents.
Meanwhile, LPG consumers of these localities alleged that their supplies might be diverted to the black market given the huge requirements by commercial establishments in view of the ongoing festive season.
The agency sources said that the Corporation insisted on increasing the supply of commercial LPG cylinders and took little interests in subsidized domestic gas cylinders.
At one hand, valid consumers have to fight every other day for a cylinder while the same is available in the black market at prices ranging between Rs.1000 to Rs.1200.
They have demanded action against the errant gas agencies for not rendering adequate services and for harassing the consumers.
There are two LPG distributors, Ashok Gas Service and Gadadhar Gas Service, in Dhubri town having more than 35000 consumers.