Domestic Gas Consumers Duped with Short Delivery, Excess Charge in AP districts

Vijayawada: Gullible domestic gas consumers in NTR and Krishna districts are getting cheated with short delivery of gas and extra charge beyond the maximum retail price of refills.

Following frequent complaints in this regard, civil supplies minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao ordered legal metrology department to inquire into the issue. Accordingly, they carried out inspections involving 45 LPG distributors in both the districts. They booked 19 cases of short weighing and violation of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules.

Legal metrology authorities called up domestic gas consumers at random to inquire about any excess amount being collected by the gas delivery persons. Of the 149 calls made to consumers. 70 complained that they have been charged excess amount ranging from ₹4.50 to ₹54.50. 50 consumers said they paid the exact amount as per bill.

Officers of legal metrology say though state-owned oil marketing companies should ensure proper filling up of gas refills as per the specified weight, lack of monitoring is leading to 200–250 gm short weighing, though the permissible limit for short delivery for 14.2 kg refill is only 150 gm. It is said some delivery personnel cheat consumers of 300 gm of gas.

Though it is mandatory on part of delivery boys to weigh the gas refill before delivery to consumers, they hardly do so. Most consumers too do not pay any attention and take a lenient view.

The civil supplies minister has, however, taken the issue seriously. He has directed authorities to serve show cause notices to erring OMCs and even book criminal cases if they fail to mend their ways.

Legal metrology authorities have advised consumers not to become victims of such malpractices. They can lodge a complaint at toll free number 1967 of civil supplies department. This will enable the department to initiate action against those violating the norms.

Legal metrology joint controller B. Ram Kumar said, “We are planning to take up a state-wide drive on such violations. We will also make 300 to 500 calls per day to consumers, so that on receipt of any complaints, we can initiate action.”