LPG refill delayed? Dealer may be fined

Soon, cooking gas dealers will have to pay a fine if they fail to deliver refills within 48 hours of booking. This is one of the provisions the oil ministry is working on for inclusion in the revised marketing guidelines for state-run fuel retailers. 

Ministry sources said the exercise is aimed at addressing complaints from consumers against dealers received during the ongoing verification process of their connections. 

An official said delayed delivery was one of the most common complaints, especially in non-metros . "The modality of a dealer penalty is under discussion. We are not looking at slapping a fine for each case of delayed delivery . It may be graded on the line of, say, if more than 10-20 % of a dealer's deliveries are found to be late," he said. 

The new guidelines would make it simple for a consumer to transfer his/ her connection to another family member. They would also simplify the processes for surrendering, regularizing or reactivating blocked/ dormant connections. 

COMING SOON 

Easy transfer of LPG connection to kin during customer's lifetime or after death Option to surrender connection online Instant new LPG connection without duplication of customer's KYC, for nonsubsidized cylinders New LPG guidelines aim to cut red tape 

Government: Want To Empower Consumers 

The oil ministry has received complaints from various quarters during its ongoing KYC drive to verify LPG consumers . "It is a fact that the process has put consumers to a great deal of hardship . We are aiming to cut red tape to improve service and empower consumers ," a senior ministry official said .

"The refreshed guidelines would also spell out steps and measures already in place but not enforced rigorously because either they don't figure in the norms or there's not much awareness about them . Inclusion in the guidelines would ensure stricter enforcement and improve consumer interface with dealers ," he added . 

The campaign aims at weeding out bogus consumers with multiple connections — the key to the success of the plan to plug exploitation of subsidy and reduce government's financial burden . 

But widespread consumer complaints and political protests over the annual sixcylinder cap has forced a government relook .

WHAT THE NEW NORMS SAY 

FACILITY | GUIDELINES 

1 Instant new LPG connection without any duplication Guidelines | 

Non-subsidized cylinders available at customer's request subject to KYC/duplication checks 

2 Retention/Reactivation of multiple and blocked connection 

Such connections can now be converted to nonsubsidized non-domestic non-exempt rate connection with no KYC formalities. KYC formalities and duplication checks will be required to recommence subsidized cylinder entitlement 

3 Transfer of LPG connection in family member's name when customer is alive 

Now permitted 

4 Transfer of connection to legal heir in case of customer's death 

Now simplified and permitted on furnishing self-declaration by the next of kin 

5 Regularization of connection in third party's name but with all original documents 

Now permitted subject to KYC checks/letters of consent/ bond/security deposit 

6  Regularization of connection in third party's name but without original documents 

Permitted subject to KYC checks/duplication check/ security deposit/affidavit 

7 Reactivation of customers blocked due to non use of connection for more than six months 

Now standardized application with declaration and KYC checks 

8 Surrender connection 

Now available in website. Distributors to contact customers and facilitate surrender. Oil companies now monitor the same 

Source;-The Economic Times