Consumer forum flags norm violations by two dealers, demands Civil Supplies crackdown
LPG cylinders were distributed in Parra on March 26, a public holiday, instead of providing doorstep delivery.
MAPUSA
Allegations of serious irregularities in LPG distribution across Bardez have surfaced, with consumer forum GOACAN accusing two dealers of disrupting doorstep delivery services and forcing residents to collect cylinders themselves, in violation of norms.
The forum has named distributors Manguesh Teli and Kavlekar, both linked to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, alleging that their failure to adhere to mandatory home delivery has caused widespread inconvenience and anxiety among consumers in the coastal belt.
According to GOACAN, Teli caters to Calangute and Candolim, while Kavlekar services a large jurisdiction covering Aldona, Saligao and Parra. The forum claims that consumers in these areas are routinely being asked to pick up cylinders from designated points instead of receiving deliveries at their doorstep.
“The two agents have disrupted and virtually paralysed the LPG distribution system in the coastal belt. We will be filing an official complaint. The Department of Civil Supplies must crack down on such distributors,” said Roland Martins, convenor of GOACAN.
Martins pointed out that the situation has deteriorated to the extent that even elected representatives are being forced to queue up for cylinders.
“If a sarpanch has to stand in line for a gas cylinder, it clearly indicates that something is seriously wrong with the system,” he said.
He further alleged that distributors receive a fixed delivery charge per cylinder for home delivery and failure to provide the service amounts to unfair practice.
“If consumers are made to collect cylinders themselves, then the dealers are effectively pocketing the delivery charges without rendering the service,” Martins added.
GOACAN has also questioned whether the areas allotted to the two distributors are too large for them to manage efficiently, suggesting that improper allocation or supply-demand mismatch could be contributing to the disruption.
The forum has urged oil companies to reassess distribution zones and streamline supply mechanisms.
The issue has also taken a political turn, with local MLA and panchayat members stepping in to assist residents by voluntarily helping deliver cylinders, drawing attention to the scale of the problem and public dissatisfaction.
In Parra, the local LPG distributor was seen supplying cylinders from a common collection point on Thursday, which was a public holiday, instead of carrying out doorstep deliveries.
A similar situation was reported in Candolim, where truckloads of cylinders were distributed near the church late in the evening.
Locals have alleged that elected representatives are intervening in the distribution process, arranging bulk supplies of cylinders and selectively providing them to preferred voters, leading to accusations of favouritism and partiality.
When contacted, a senior official from the Department of Civil Supplies acknowledged receiving informal complaints and assured that the matter would be examined.
“Doorstep delivery of LPG cylinders is a mandated service and any deviation will be taken seriously. We will seek a report from the concerned oil company and initiate appropriate action if violations are found,” the official said.
