The Times of India:Nagpur:Saturday, March 03, 2012.
You may be under an impression, created by your gas dealership, that you cannot apply for a cooking gas refill until 21 days have gone since delivery of last one.
Actually, staffers at most gas agencies refuse to register your demand within this period. However, no such rule exists, at least for consumers of Indane gas, marketed by Indian Oil. A social activist has obtained information under RTI Act that shows there is no such provision.
Abhay Kolarkar, a member of India Against Corruption ( IAC), had asked a question: After one filled cylinder is delivered to consumer, what is the time period of before another can be booked. Indian Oil replied there was no restriction on refill booking.
Kolarkar had also asked what was the time period for delivery of gas cylinder to the consumer by the distributor. IOC replied the company aimed to provide a refill within 48 hours of booking subject to availability of cylinders at distributor's godown. The refills were to be provided on first-come-first-served.
IOC also made it clear that distributors could not make their own rules of distribution and its norms were binding on distributors. If a distributor violated rules, company took action against it under Marketing Discipline Guidelines.
The Nagpur office of company took action against 35 distributors between October 2010 and December 2012. Six of them located in Nagpur are: Vidarbha Gas and Domestic Appliances (twice), Sarang Gas Agency (twice), Bhende Gas Agency, Karuna Gas Agency, Dhurvey Gas Agency and Om Domestic & Gas Appliances.
The company has, however, clarified that it was not mandatory for the distributor to display all the rules and regulations of the company. Important notices and guidelines should be displayed when instructed by IOC.
Kolarkar has appealed to IOC consumers to challenge the gas agency staffers if they did not accept an application within 21 days of delivery of a cylinder. He has also urged them to protest if they did not get a cylinder within 48 hours.
Actually, staffers at most gas agencies refuse to register your demand within this period. However, no such rule exists, at least for consumers of Indane gas, marketed by Indian Oil. A social activist has obtained information under RTI Act that shows there is no such provision.
Abhay Kolarkar, a member of India Against Corruption ( IAC), had asked a question: After one filled cylinder is delivered to consumer, what is the time period of before another can be booked. Indian Oil replied there was no restriction on refill booking.
Kolarkar had also asked what was the time period for delivery of gas cylinder to the consumer by the distributor. IOC replied the company aimed to provide a refill within 48 hours of booking subject to availability of cylinders at distributor's godown. The refills were to be provided on first-come-first-served.
IOC also made it clear that distributors could not make their own rules of distribution and its norms were binding on distributors. If a distributor violated rules, company took action against it under Marketing Discipline Guidelines.
The Nagpur office of company took action against 35 distributors between October 2010 and December 2012. Six of them located in Nagpur are: Vidarbha Gas and Domestic Appliances (twice), Sarang Gas Agency (twice), Bhende Gas Agency, Karuna Gas Agency, Dhurvey Gas Agency and Om Domestic & Gas Appliances.
The company has, however, clarified that it was not mandatory for the distributor to display all the rules and regulations of the company. Important notices and guidelines should be displayed when instructed by IOC.
Kolarkar has appealed to IOC consumers to challenge the gas agency staffers if they did not accept an application within 21 days of delivery of a cylinder. He has also urged them to protest if they did not get a cylinder within 48 hours.
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