KL Desk
Srinagar
As the deadline for registration and renewal of LPG connections expires on November 15, around half of the domestic gas consumers in the state are yet to register themselves with different oil companies,
According to sources in different oil companies, only 50 per cent consumers in the state have registered or renewed their connections with the oil companies, spreading panic among consumers.
The Union Petroleum Ministry had earlier set November 15 as the deadline for registration of domestic LPG connections.
“Among a total of 25 lakh consumers in the state, only 10 to 12 lakh consumers have submitted their documents for registration with different companies, with an equal number of consumers still pending for registration as on Nov 14”, the sources said adding there are only 101 counters across the state for such a huge number of customers.
Responding to the queries, minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Qamar Ali Akhoon said the government will get the remaining consumer registered.
However, the minister remained non-committal on how the registrations will be done. When asked whether he has got any assurance from the central government on extension of the deadline, he said, “All of them will be registered”. However, the Minister expressed ignorance about the number of consumers that have registered themselves with the oil companies. “You can talk to the R K Shahab, the Coordinator of Oil Companies in the regard”, he said.
When contacted, the Coordinator, R K Shahab said the details of registrations can only be known from officers of different oil companies.
However according to Director CAPD, Kashmir, Mir Mushtaq, 65 per cent consumers in the valley have bee registered till date. “We are in touch with different oil companies to ensure registration of consumers”, he told to local news agency, KNS
Meanwhile, Director CAPD, Jammu, without giving exact figures told KNS that most of the consumers in Jammu division have bee registered with different oil companies.
The Directors said the state government had already written to the Secretary Union Petroleum Ministry regarding extension in deadline for registration of consumers. However, they declined to comment whether the central government had responded to the communication.
