GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL
RAJOURI APRIL 16:-LPG distributors of District Rajouri have submitted a detailed memorandum to the Assistant Director, Food & Supplies, highlighting serious operational challenges and urging immediate administrative intervention to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply across the district. The distributors, representing Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, have expressed concern over the increasing difficulties faced during the past one to two months in maintaining smooth delivery services, particularly in remote and far-flung areas.
A key issue raised in the memorandum is the impracticality of the OTP-based delivery system. Distributors stated that deliveries are considered complete only after OTP authentication (DAC), which has proven highly challenging in areas with poor connectivity. Delays in receiving OTPs, as well as invalid OTPs during reconciliation, have led to discrepancies in records despite actual delivery of cylinders. In this regard, the distributors have specifically demanded 50% relaxation in DAC-based refills to ease operational pressure. The memorandum also highlights significant hurdles in KYC compliance, noting that many customers resist repeated KYC requirements, especially when documents were already submitted at the time of connection. Moreover, distributors lack the legal authority to enforce compliance, leading to service disruptions and strained customer relations.
Concerns were also raised regarding beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), where a large number of beneficiaries particularly elderly women in rural areas do not possess mobile phones, making OTP-based systems inaccessible and depriving genuine beneficiaries of essential LPG services. The challenging geographical and topographical conditions of Rajouri district, including border and hilly terrain, further complicate delivery timelines, while strict reporting requirements and frequently changing guidelines add to operational difficulties. Additionally, increasing pressure and impractical compliance norms have led to workforce issues, including staff attrition, while recruitment and training of new personnel require time, placing both distributors and staff under considerable stress.
Financial viability has also emerged as a critical concern, as distributors operate on minimal commission margins and delays in refill cycles (25–45 days) coupled with reporting constraints adversely affect sustainability. Many have warned that the current system is no longer economically viable. Despite these challenges, distributors reiterated their commitment, highlighting their role as frontline service providers even during the COVID-19 pandemic and in tense border situations, though they emphasized that current constraints are beyond their operational capacity.
The distributors also acknowledged the constructive role of the administration, stating that the Assistant Director, Food & Supplies, Mr. Rohit Kumar (JKAS), has been receptive to their concerns. They appreciated the proactive support extended by the District Administration during difficult times and expressed hope for timely intervention in the present situation. The deputation of LPG distributors who submitted the memorandum included Mr. Nitish Mahajan, Mohammad Farooq, Layaqat Ali, Yashuwardan Singh Thakur, Mohd Aslam, Umer Khan, Raja Ahmed Lone, and Nilesh Mahajan.
In light of these issues, the distributors have requested relaxation in OTP-based delivery norms for low-connectivity areas, flexibility in KYC enforcement, special provisions for PMUY beneficiaries without mobile access, rationalization of reporting timelines, and consideration of district-specific challenges in policy implementation. The memorandum concludes with a strong appeal for immediate intervention, warning that failure to address these concerns may force distributors to limit supply only to designated points, thereby shifting the burden of last-mile delivery to the administration or oil companies. The distributors have urged the authorities to take swift action to ensure the continued and smooth supply of LPG to the people of Rajouri.
Users Today : 35
Users Yesterday : 144