By Our Reporter
Shillong: The proposed online booking system of LPG cylinders in the city scheduled to commence from next month has been widely criticized by the general public who alleged that the new system is a one-sided procedure which serves the interests of the rich people while discarding the rest.
“This system will not only put the public in great difficulty but also will lead to great chaos and tension among the people,” a consumer from Laitumkhrah said, while adding that only rich people will benefit from it, not the general lot.
Another consumer from Polo area leveled the new booking procedure as a one-sided system, saying, “This system will not help solve the problem of untimely delivery and booking and it will further lead to more chaos among the public.”
Another LPG consumer in the city noted that the new online booking system would benefit only those people who had access to the internet in their homes.
It may be recalled that the decision to start the online booking from next month came after a meeting held between the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), East Khasi Hills and the distributors of LPG cylinders on Tuesday last to deliberate on the new system of booking and refilling of gas cylinders.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills Jopthiaw Lyngdoh told this scribe that he was not fully satisfied with the online system but had decided to implement it as a test case to see whether the system will work within a given stipulated time or not. “I’m not sure about its advantage and that is why I am still holding back the decision to publicize it,” he said.
Reacting to the people’s negative comments on the online booking system, Lyngdoh said, “Personally, I am supporting the previous idea of booking and refilling of gas cylinders but since the LPG distribution agencies are opting for the online booking system, I have to go along with it.” He, however, assured that he would evaluate the outcome of the online booking system after some time. Lyngdoh also informed that he had proposed a new system of booking and refilling of gas cylinders which will soon be revealed after the approval of the various LPG agencies in the city.
He further informed that a review meeting would be held next month to solicit the views of the gas agencies on the new booking system proposed by him and also discuss the pros and cons of the online booking system.