[Resolved]  Latha Gas Agency — harassment by the agent

Address:

Alappuzha, Kerala

The complaint is specifically against LATHA GAS AGENCY, Indane Gas dealer, Ambalapuzha, Alleppey and generally against all the gas agency dealers. I (Consumer No. 1004) booked a cylinder on 20/07/2011 and on 17/8, the gas agency staff assured to deliver the cylinder before 20/08/2011. When I contacted the agency on 22/08/2011, they informed that, it will take another two weeks for delivery. They claimed that they have cleared the bookings till 7/7/11. Mean time there was customers demanding for gas cylinders who have booked on May and June. The guy in the counter was making comments over the customers’ arguments and other two ladies laughing over it.
So we called Mr.Udayabhanu, Sales Manger IOC at [protected] and raised the complaint. He informed that he is helpless and instructed us to give a complaint to the Supply officer.
There were so many complaints made before the concerned officers and also in the forums in the internet against this agency and the rude behavior of their staff. There are also complaints that whenever the agency demands a shortage, the cylinders are readily available in the black market.
IOC is a public sector undertaking and is supposed to have a commitment to the public. As an agent of a large central government PSU, they should have some decency in dealing with a customer and also its people should understand that it is a public office. This agency people are having a feeling that it is on their mercy, the gas cylinders are supplied to the public.
All these are happening only because of the monopoly. Government should either dismiss these agencies or should provide the freedom to choose by introducing more agents in same locality. The bookings should be taken by a central point based at the IOC office and the date and time of delivery should be informed directly to the customer from that office. These agents’ role should trim down as a store keeper and delivery boys. Otherwise the information on booking, delivery and waiting list status to be made public.
Requesting your help to get a prompt delivery of gas cylinder this time, and also the needful in formulating a frame work to introduce a system where these kinds of harassments can be eliminated.


S.Sukumaran Nair ([protected])