SHILLONG: The residents of Golf Link area are facing difficulty for over four months due to unavailability of LPG cylinders in the area. They claimed that that they are forced to buy from the black market since distributors have failed to supply. Some residents spoke to media persons and explained their difficulty as the LPG cylinders have not been supplied in their area for long.
“The non availability of LPG for the past three months is taking its toll. We have not seen a single cylinder delivered in the last three months,” said Rajesh Swarnekar, a resident of Golf Link.
Informing that he had spoken to the field officer of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to find out if there is any shortage, Sawrnakar said that the officer informed that they are transferring 5000 LPG subscribers from present to next distributor to whom they are going to allot. Swarkanekar added that there is no problem between the IOC and distributors but why should the public suffer when it is easily available in the black market.
Expressing concerns he said, “Not many people can afford it from the black market. I request the authorities to please look into the matter so that cylinders are made available as soon as possible”.
It was informed that an LPG cylinder usually costs between Rs 800-Rs 900 from the distributors but people of the area are now buying it for Rs 1500-1600 from the black market.
Yet another resident of Pynthorumkhrah, Iba Kharkongor said, “We would get cylinders once in two to three months but now we are not getting any because they sell in black market and that is why there is shortage”. “We are forced to buy it for a high price from the black market. Why are we to suffer?’’ Kharkongor said.
Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills, Deputy Commissioner, Matsiewdor War Nongbri said that the office has not received any complaints yet. She requested the people to come up and report so that the authorities can act accordingly. She also informed that recently they had a meeting with the distributors and no such issue came up.
Concerns over shortage of cylinders in Rilbong area were also raised to an official, who said that the supply will be streamlined.
