SHILLONG: Nonpayment of arrears to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) by Longkmie Gas Agency (LGA) is the primary reason behind the ongoing shortage of subsidized LPG cylinders in Greater Laban area of the city.
Informed sources on Friday claimed that the gas agency has defaulted payment of its dues for months together to the IOC – which in turn has stalled supplies. This has hit the domestic consumers of the gas agency hard for no fault of theirs. As a result these consumers have been forced to go for alternative fuel arrangements like kerosene, coal, firewood and electric heater etc.
The gas agency had earlier reasoned that the current crisis is due to drop in truckload supply from Assam while concealing that it had defaulted in clearing arrears to the IOC.
Terming the gas agency’s version as mere ‘buck passing’, an IOC official confirmed the ‘default angle’ with the request to this daily not to name him.
Consumers of Greater Laban, who are demanding another gas agency or two to cater to the growing needs of the numerous localities, are questioning the ‘intent’ of the Supply officials of the East Khasi Hills district administration.
The consumers are of the opinion that these State government Supply officials had ‘washed off’ their hands last time by only “expressing surprise” over the issue.
“We suspect that they (Supply officials) are hand in glove with the gas agency,” alleged customers on Friday.
The consumers have demanded immediate action against the erring Longkmie Gas Agency for inflicting such scourge on its customers for no fault of theirs and also questioned the silence of the DC (Supply) on the burning issue.
