Consumers can't be forced to buy gas stoves: MRTPC

Anti-monopoly watchdog Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission (MRTPC) has said that consumers cannot be compelled to buy gas stove from a particular dealer and ordered state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to issue instructions to this effect to its dealers.

The decision came after it was found that certain oil companies were asking their dealers to compel those seeking new connections to purchase gas stoves from them.

Last year, the MRTPC had initiated a probe to find if some oil companies had directed their dealers, formally or informally, to sell a particular brand of gas stoves.

The commission’s action was based on public complaints and information that one of the premier oil companies was resorting to such a practice. The MRTPC order today said that making an independent choice to buy stoves from any dealer was the basic right of a customer.

It asked IOC to renew these instructions to the dealers in appropriate and expeditious form and ensure prominent and appropriate display at the premises of all its dealers.

“The communications that are addressed to the consumers at the time of sanction of connections and on subsequent cash receipt while supplying gas bear an insertion to the effect that the consumers are not bound to make any purchase, including the gas stove being vended by the dealer. Such insertions should be brought in within a period of one month by each of the dealers of the respondents,” said the MRTPC order.

The commission has also asked IOC to set up a monitoring system to ensure that the above directions are adhered to at the dealers’ level throughout the country.