In a major move to overhaul the cooking gas distribution network, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has announced that LPG cylinders will now be supplied strictly via OTP (One-Time Password) verification. The new directive effectively ends the practice of unauthorized distribution and prohibits consumers from picking up cylinders directly from godowns or agency offices.
The order, issued during a high-level meeting on Tuesday with oil marketing companies and gas agencies, mandates that doorstep delivery is now the only permissible mode of supply.
The New Rules: Transparency and Timelines
The administration has introduced several strict protocols to ensure the system is both transparent and efficient:
- Mandatory OTP: Delivery personnel must verify a valid OTP at the consumer’s doorstep before handing over the cylinder.
- No Over-the-Counter Sales: Gas agencies and warehouses are strictly forbidden from distributing cylinders directly to customers at their premises.
- 96-Hour Delivery Window: Distributors are now legally required to complete the doorstep delivery within 96 hours of a booking.
- Clear Communication: Agencies must display prominent notices about the OTP system and send SMS alerts to registered mobile numbers to prevent crowding at agency locations.
Rationale Behind the Crackdown
Collector Dudi emphasized that these measures are designed to bring discipline to the network and ensure cylinders reach the rightful beneficiaries safely.
“By making OTP verification compulsory and stopping direct pickup, we are ensuring that cylinders are delivered safely and only to the rightful consumer,” Dudi stated. He warned that any delay or violation of these norms would attract strict legal action, with police instructed to intervene if the regulated process is disrupted.
Rising Demand for Piped Gas (PNG)
As the LPG sector tightens its regulations, the demand for piped gas is surging. Prasanna Joshi, spokesperson for Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL), noted a significant spike in applications for new connections over the last 15 days. While MNGL currently serves approximately 8 lakh customers in Pune, the company is working continuously to expand its network to meet this sudden increase in interest.
