Guwahati: Despite assurance from LPG marketing companies that domestic cylinder production remains normal and consumers “need not worry”, many households are struggling to get refills.Distributors say that they are getting lesser numbers of 14.2 kg cylinders than they require to distribute per day over the past few days, reportedly due to the West Asia conflict.Consumers were seen gathering outside the Pinakshi Gas Service at Chandmari in the city, hours before the distributor opened doors at 10 am. However, the consumers engaged in an argument with the distributor employees after they said that there was no supply.Anil Boro, an employee of the distributor of LPG of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), said, “We are facing shortage in supply of domestic LPG cylinders. The supply of commercial cylinders has already been stopped. Therefore, we are issuing domestic LPG refills to consumers five days after they book. On the other hand, we have asked consumers to adhere to a mandatory 25-day-gap rule between two bookings.”He added that they are distributing domestic LPG cylinders as per the instruction they have received from the marketing companies. “We cannot take any decision on our own,” he said.Meanwhile, A Thapa, a consumer, said he was not issued a refill on March 10 after booking it on March 7. The distributor told him that a refill would be issued five days after booking.“I have come to the distributor after five days; but they told me that the distributor has not received any supply on Thursday. Govt is saying that there is no shortage of cooking gas. If that is the truth, why are the distributors not issuing refills?” he added.Boro advised consumers to check with distributors on a day-to-day basis for updates on supply.
