LPG supplied in cylinders of expiry dates in Rohtas

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Sasaram : The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in cylinders of expiry dates by distribution agencies in Rohtas district has been causing concern to thousands of consumers. That apart, illegal gas refilling centres are operating in different parts of Rohtas district.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have been supplying LPG cylinders through their dealers to the consumers but they rarely organize awareness programme for the consumers to enable them handle the cylinders and know their expiry dates.  The oil companies mark A, B, C, D code with two digit numbers on the upper handle of the LPG cylinders.  But the consumers do not know about it.

Officials of the HPCL, BPCL and the IOCL claim said that illegal, expired and below standard LPG cylinders were not supplied from their respective bottling plants and added that it was the dealers who were supplying such cylinders to the consumers saying that they were supplied from the bottling plants. The officials of the oil companies appealed the consumers not to receive such cylinders at any cost. They also said that the consumers should check the manufacturing dates and seven rings at the bottom of the cylinder before receiving it. They said that a cylinder has a 10 year life span and after five years, the oil companies paint the cylinders.

Consumers Usha Devi, Kalawati Devi, Munna Singh and others said that if they refuse to accept the  cylinders of expired dates, their bookings will be cancelled and they will have wait for long for the second cylinder.

Sales Officer, HPCL, Abhishek Gupta assured the consumers not get panic and said if a consumer refuses to accept expired date  cylinder, neither the booking will be cancelled nor he or she has to wait for the new cylinder. He asked the consumers to complain if the distribution agency refuses to give second new cylinder immediately and assured action against the agency concerned  after inquiry. He said every consumer is insured as takes LPG connection and in the event of some untoward incident, a consumer can get Rs 6 lakh to Rs 30 lakh as compensation.