By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Many customers of Longkmie Gas Agency were in for a surprise on Tuesday as a notice hung outside the agency’s office informed that the LPG connections of people from several localities have been transferred to New Gas Agency (Riwar Mihngi Indane Gas Agency) with effect from May 28.
The localities included Bethesda, Bishnupur, CID quarters, Circuit house, Ice Factory, Kench’s Trace, Lawsohtun block 1, block 2, block 3, block 4, block 5 and block 6, New Kench’s Trace, Oxford Hills, Pala Complex, Railway Guest House, SIB Office, Rilbong and Zig Zag road.
The new agency will function from opposite Rilbong Beat House. The decision to shift the LPG connections to a new agency was taken by Field Officer, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), S Chakma and the same was conveyed to Longkmie over the phone on Tuesday, the notice outside the gas agency’s office stated.
The move has come under severe criticism from public who expressed surprise over the fact that no prior notice was issued to the customers before shifting the LPG connections to a new agency.
Around 3000 LPG connections would be transferred from Longkmie to the New Gas Agency as a result of the latest move.
A sizeable crowd that gathered outside the Longkmie Gas Agency slammed the IOC official and Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills for going ahead with the change without taking the customers into confidence. Several customers, who had come for a refill but turned back by Longkmie wondered when they would have their next LPG cylinder delivered.
Meanwhile, the owner of the New Gas Agency was seen working with Longkmie to streamline the allotments it received due to the delimitation. The East Khasi Hills DC has forwarded to the media the letter sent by Chakma on the areas to be taken up by the new gas agency.