If you are a Hindustan Petroleum consumer and serviced by M/s Kavlekar Gas Service, come September you will need to buy a smartphone to book a gas refill and apply for a credit/debit card to pay for it!
Even as the pandemic has thrown life out of gear for the common man, a local gas dealer has made life difficult for consumers by insisting that payment for gas cylinder refill be made digitally or risk of not getting the delivery from September 1 onwards.
M/s Kavlekar Gas Service who services people of Aldona, Saligao and part of Porvorim has been forcing consumers to make payment either through credit or debit card or through online.
Several consumers informed that the representatives of the dealer had begun the digital payment campaign at least three months back.
Besides, the gas dealer is also forcing the consumers to buy an ‘Easy Gas Card’ for Rs 30. Incidentally, the card serves only as an ID for the consumer.
“We have been told that henceforward payment for gas cylinders have to be made only through credit/debit cards. A representative of the dealer insisted that we either pay digitally or we won’t get the gas cylinder. What happens to people who don’t have either of the cards?” asked Nancy from Aldona.
Another consumer from Socorro disclosed that the dealer was insisting to go completely cashless.
She further said that when she inquired about older people who don’t have credit/debit cards, the dealer informed that anybody can make payment for you.
“This is utterly senseless, because then I am forced to depend on others to make my gas cylinder payments,” said Yogita Mehra of Socorro.
Incidentally, the dealer is also forcing people in Aldona to book the cylinder refill by downloading the HP app on the smart phone which was earlier done by sending an SMS.
The Sales Officer of HP, Resham Mittal informed that during the pandemic the company was adopting a strategy where cashless payment would help to maintain least contact with people.
“During the Covid time it will be a win-win situation for us and the consumers also if the payment is done digitally,” Mittal said, trying to clarify the company’s position.
He, however, admitted that no one can be forced to make payment digitally and those who could not do so would be allowed to pay by cash.
The Director of Civil and Consumer Supplies, Siddhivinayak Naik said payment only through digital mode was not the right approach and people should be allowed all options.
“Digital mode of payment is not mandatory nor should it be made mandatory. People should have an option to pay in every mode which they are convenient with. You cannot expect everyone to be tech savvy,” Naik said.
The director said he has not received any complaints from consumers so far but will look into the matter.
