Despite government efforts to streamline LPG services inGoa, malpractice is common. Suppliers have now made it compulsory for customersto purchase additional home appliances with every new gas connection or even anadditional connection. The government had recently made it mandatory for allLPG customers to register themselves with their respective distributors, inorder to trace existing multiple connections. But, with time new techniqueshave been formulated wherein one entersinto a LPG suppliers franchises to buy a new connection, the customer is alsoasked to purchase additional appliances like gas stoves, cookers, kadais oreven grinders etc.
Kriti Korgaonkar, who is in charge at Sadshil Bharat Gasstates that there are many customers who only get a gas connection. “The homeappliance company has tied up with the gas company to sell their products. Wedon’t really have a role to play in this. The government has now removed thesubsidiary given to gas companies, therefore we now have to find different waysto boost our income. So the companies have brought in a large range of productsthat are offered to customers.”
However, GOACAN convenor Roland Martins has a differingopinion, stating customers need only purchase the cylinder regulator from thecompany. “We have received many complaints that customers are forced topurchase appliances, which can be picked up from any other appliance store too.These incidents need to be brought to the notice of the authorities and actiontaken against defaulters.”
Of course, the current situation still prevails, where thebuying of appliances is mandatory for all customers and happens despite thatfact that the notice board at the distributors’ offices state that the buyingof home appliances or utensils is not mandatory and is up to the customer.
