Severe LPG scarcity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The scarcity of LPG cylinders in the  city has made life virtually a hell for housewives. The rules set by the oil companies stipulate that new cylinders should be provided within 21 days after booking. But this norm is clearly violated by the gas agencies and the delivery is prolonged by many days, annoying the public.According to a senior member of the monitoring cell constituted by the District Collector to tackle the illegitimate hoarding and sale of LPG gas, the hoarding and diversion of cylinders to the open market is the prime reason behind the sudden shortage of LPG cylinders.The 14-kg cylinder priced at  Rs 423 is sold at an inflated price of  Rs 600-700 in the open market. With 19.2-kg commercial cylinder costing over Rs 1,250, hotels and restaurants are craving for the domestic cylinders, which are comparatively cheaper.He also said that the local gas agencies were also responsible for the crisis as they circulate the bogus connections that they had procured when LPG was sparingly used. They could not be traced as the monitoring cell was  not authorised to cross-check each connection.“Gas agencies and the oil company officials play hand-in-glove not to identify the illegal connections. These connections are flooded into the open market,” he said.Last year, about 200 cylinders which were hoarded after being procured illegally were confiscated by the monitoring cell. In addition to the hoarding and diversion to open market, it has been reported that trifling issues in the filling units of the oil companies are being raked up so that they affect the lifting of the cylinders.An officer in the establishment, after much persuasion, agreed to shed his silence. He said that a tussle going on at the Parippally unit between the company management and the container drivers over the suspension of a driver who was allegedly drunk while on duty was now affecting the supply. He also opined that the oil company was apathetic to the issue as it had no real interest in resuming the gas supply, which was increasing its liabilities.The private gas agencies are cashing in on this delay. They provide cylinders instantaneously, but charge exorbitant rates. A 12-kg cylinder is being charged ` 850, while a 17-kg one is priced at Rs 1,200.Mohammed Yasir, working at Kerala University, Kariavattom, said that he depends on private agencies occasionally when the agencies of public sector companies fail to deliver cylinders. “Fire wood is no longer available. Kerosene is also a rare commodity these days,” he said. The officials in the control room set up in the Collectorate to deal with the issues pertaining to supply of LPG cylinders said that they receive 18 to 20 complaints a day. Most of the complaints are regarding delay in gas supply. Some of the complainants had to wait for more than a month to get their allotted cylinder.Thiruvananthapuram Taluk Supply Officer B Vijayakumar told Express that his department was planning to intensify raids in the city and rural areas. He also warned that those who are caught misusing gas cylinders meant for domestic use would be booked under the LPG Regulation Act-2000 and Essential Commodities Act of 1955.