LPG consumers at delivery boys’ mercy

The thing which irked the domestic gas cylinder delivery boys is their toothless situation in pocketing extra money from consumers for transporting the most essential commodity to their doors. At this stage finding no other option, they called for a long strike demanding an increase in their commission.

There are approximately 600 delivery boys in the city employed with 500 gas agencies. They take home a consolidated salary of Rs 8000 per month, but there are some agencies that pay them commission of around Rs 10 per cylinder instead of monthly salaries.

But after the Aadhar-linked system implementation (though with much hiccups), the delivery boys formed a union and started demanding more commission from agencies because the consumers stopped paying tips for their service. The consumers who are already reeling due to the linkage process are not in a mood to shell out extra money. This very stance of the customers peeved the delivery boys to that extent that they went ahead and called for indefinite strike in the city.

When contacted, gas agencies said that the oil companies pay Rs 35 per cylinder as commission and are not in a position to pay more to delivery boys. “They are putting a demand of 10% commission for each cylinder, which is not feasible in any case. Paying 10% is next to shutting down our business,” explains D Ashok Kumar, president of the Gas Dealers’ Association.

In case of any cancellations of any booking made or undelivered cylinders, the delivery boys would sell them in the open market keeping a margin of Rs 200.

“I booked a refill on September 20 and got the refill on October 10. As it is mandatory to book a second refill only after 21 days, I paid an extra of Rs 200 to get a second cylinder,” said Md Nizam of Tolichowki who felt lucky enough to get the cylinder before Bakrid.

Around 12 lakh consumers in the city are at the mercy of delivery boys. One cannot take any risk to offend or cross question them. Though it is clearly mentioned on their transport vehicle ‘scale is available with the delivery boy, please weigh the cylinder before taking’ it is hardly abided either by customer or the delivery boy.

The receipts will never have the correct delivery date. Even a few of them will reluctantly sign the consumer gas book after delivery of the cylinder. “I am fortunate when the dealer asked me to come and pick my cylinder, but many others are suffering. I saw long queues in front of some gas dealers,” said P Rajender Prasad, a resident of West Marredpally.

“My consumer number is 46337 and I booked my refill a fortnight ago. I got an sms from the dealer about the delivery of my cylinder against my booking but unfortunately till date I did not receive my refill. I am helpless,” fumed a working lady from Trimulgherry.

Despite crisis and shortage of cylinders, the delivery boys manage to get refills for the needy customers.

The instances of misuse of domestic connections for commercial purposes are high.

A hotel near Jubilee School in Vijayanagar Colony was found using domestic cylinders. The unholy nexus with the delivery boys is a known fact and the systems needs to brace up to clean the mess.