----------------------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service & circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN)<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- LPG consumers demand home delivery of cylinders. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 100 LPG consumers from numerous villages of Goa participated in a dharna yesterday in Panjim to protest against the lack of home delivery' of LPG cylinders by the dealers of both Bharat Petroleum(BP) and Hindustan Petroleum(HP). The dharna organised by the Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) which had participation of consumer forums from different parts of Goa was held to demand that the Goa Government enforce 100 per cent home delivery of gas cylinders to consumers by the petroleum companies. The protesting consumers demanded that petroleum companies instruct their dealers its company policy that consumers must get home delivery and action be taken against errant dealers. Numerous delegations of the Consumer Forums to the Director of Civil Supplies N B Narvekar to bring Hindustan Petroleum to the discussion table bore little fruit, in utter frustration the aggrieved consumers took to the street. Problems faced by LPG consumers that were prominently featured at the dharna were the forcible sale of stoves to consumers, the arrogant behaviour of the agents and their delivery staff, excess billing, non issue of bills, no mechanical check, and no proper response to emergency calls on leaking cylinders. Other problems highlighted were the diversion of domestic LPG cylinders to commercial outlets and No Customer Service Office of Hindustan Petroleum in Goa to redress LPG consumer problems due to which Goan LPG Consumers have to make references and visits to Hubli , Belgaum and Dharwad. Speaking at the dharna, President of the Aldona Civic and Consumer Forum Jose D'Souza demanded that HP change over Aldona consumers to the Mapusa dealer, this would benefit the consumers as they would have to pay less for transport cost. The Domnic D'Souza, president of the Tivim Civic and Consumer Forum demanded to know why HP had not informed the consumers of Tivim and surrounding areas that the HP dealership of M/s Sameer Gas had been terminated. For the last two years the consumers have been facing immense hardships and paying an excess in transportation cost due to the cylinders being supplied by the dealer M/s Kamat from Bicholim. Moreover, it was alleged that HP executive sales officer Mr. Uday Krishnan has not appeared for a single meeting called by the Director of Civil Supplies. Speaking further Mr. Domnic D'Souza, demanded that HP immediately set up of a Customer Service Office to cater to the over 25,000 consumers in Goa. LPG Consumers from Aldona, and Soccorro were protesting against the continued street delivery although the forums in these villages have represented their case to the Director of Civil Supplies and the officials of the Hindustan Petroleum and the dealer M/s Kavlekar Gas agency had agreed to provide home delivery of LPG cylinders to all consumers. It has also been brought to the notice of the Director of Civil Supplies that the HP agent is charging Rs 2 per consumer as Octroi without any legal sanction. Victor Fernandes of the Socorro Civic and Consumer Forum said that the LPG cylinders were being roughly handled, often being thrown of the trucks and rolled on the ground, this was not only damaging the cylinder but also posed a grave safety threat to the consumers. Saligao Civic and Consumer Cell and the Nerul Civic and Consumer Forum also participated in the dharna. Francis Floriano Fernandes of the Merces Civic and Consumer Forum said that it was high time the consumers wake up and reiterate their right for good service. Also speaking at the dharna was Martin D'Souza of the Calangute Residents and Consumer Forum(CRCF) and Lawrence Dias from the Nuvem Civic and Consumer Forum both of whom called upon the consumers of Goa to unite and bring relief especially to women and senior citizens who have to struggle to get their cylinder refills. Roland Martins Co-ordinator of the Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOA CAN) cautioned the Goa Government, that if HP and BP do not ensure proper service to the LPG consumers the forums in the respective villages will take action against the Civil Supplies Inspectors in the respective talukas. The Consumer Forums representatives present for the dharna later resolved to submit memorandums to their respective MLA's so that the matter will be appropriately taken up with Petroleum Ministry for further action against these "public sector" companies and to take a joint delegation to the Minister of Civil Supplies Manohar T Azgaonkar in the first week of September. ------------------------------------------ HERALD 28/08/02 page 5 ------------------------------------------ ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy ======================================= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? 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