LPG short: Panchkula kitchens lose fire

CHANDIGARH: Supply of liquid petroleum gas in Panchkula, Kalka and Pinjore has gone from bad to worse in the past one month. 12 LPG distributors in the area have failed to maintain supply as many among their 1.24 lakh customers have not received cylinders booked 15-30 days ago against the mandatory delivery time of 48 hours. What has added to the problem is the lack of coordination between the refinery and Panchkula's LPG agencies.As a result, the backlog has piled up, with consumers also making panic bookings.
While the gas agencies are attributing the poor delivery to inadequate supply, consumers feel that unsystematic distribution and illegal sales are the main reasons for the problem. ''We have not faced a shortage like this before. We have seen a number of consumers selling LPG cylinders for higher amounts,' said Shashi Sharma, a Sector-15 resident. Looking at the situation, black marketing, illegal sale and hoarding of LPG cylinders has picked up. Those who are refusing to pay extra bucks are forced to wait for several days after booking LPG refills while extra payment of anything between Rs 150 and Rs 200 would fetch LPG refills without any delay and even booking formality, said a resident. Several LPG distributors revealed that they were receiving supplies which were half the demand and that too not regularly. ''LPG area office has failed to coordinate with refineries to sort out the problem,'' complained distributors.
Food and civil supplies department officials are uncertain of when the problem would be sorted out.
''We have talked to LPG distributors and they assured us to solve the problem soon, but they did not give any deadline when the problem will be solved. We are still in touch with them so that supply can be carried as soon as possible,' said district food and civil supplies officer Sultan Singh.