Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Dec 28: Public is confused as various teams of men are visiting houses on the pretext of checking cooking gas cylinders and connections and thereafter collecting money.

Gas distributors say that the checking is being done as per the orders of the gas distributing companies. All details are sent to the company. Receipt is also given for the cash that is collected from the consumers. If there are any complaints, consumers are asked to contact the gas agency. The creation of chaos is unnecessary.

The personnel visit the houses on behalf of distributing companies and check the cooking gas cylinder, pipe, stove and the place where the cylinder is kept. They take signature from the consumers and collect Rs 236 as fee. If they change the pipe, they charge an additional Rs 190. So a total fee of Rs 426 is charged.

Public is confused as the company personnel are charging inspection fee even if everything is fine. Some even accuse that receipt is not given for the money that is collected. Other consumers say that without checking any thing the personnel are collecting money. For the economically poor families, this amount is an additional burden.

Some consumers also say that checking was carried out in 2020 and the next should be done in 2025. But the companies are sending people to check in just two years.

Some consumers have posted on social media photos of personnel who are visiting houses and are cautioning others not to allow people who come for checking gas cyclinder and connection. However, gas supplying companies say that it is compulsory.

Distributing agencies say that consumers are covered under insurance. However, there is no rule that regular checking should be done to get insurance in case of any mishap. The agencies also say that there is no connection between the insurance and the ongoing checking.

Deputy commissioner Kurma Rao said, “Clear awareness should be conveyed to the consumer with regards to the pros and cons of gas cylinder inspection. There should not be any room for chaos. I will take action to convey the same to public through our food inspector.”