LPG consumers verification suspended

The Raipur district administration has suspended the verification of LPG connections in the Chhattisgarh capital region.

The process started on 4 April, when LPG consumers were asked to line up in 69 centres and forms in prescribed format were collected. Consumers were supposed to appear personally and submit the form with supporting documents.

Following serious irregularities in the entire process, the move of district administration, that was aimed at checking illegal cooking gas connections, landed into trouble.

Also, there was severe shortage of forms. People started complaining that forms were being sold in black. The act of district administration invited wide criticism from different quarters even as Congress in Opposition and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders came out in support of people.

Different social organizations also lodged strong protest. The district administration first extended the last date of verification from 24 April to 15 May. But the protest continued even as senior leaders of ruling BJP had to intervene in the matter.

Raipur's member of parliament Ramesh Bais talked to chief minister Raman Singh on the issue. It was only after Ramesh's strong reservation, that the administration had to suspend the process for verification of LPG connections.

District collector Rohit Yadav said that the consumers would not have to come to the centres for verification. Officials and revenue inspectors will now conduct door to door survey and verify the records, he added.