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MANGALORE: LPG consumers in the district complain that many distributors are charging more money than the permitted amount, while delivering refilled cylinders. They say that most consumers pay the extra amount fearing that suppliers will not deliver cylinders on time, the next time they book it.

Melroy CF Fernandes, a consumer from Belvai in Moodbidri, told TOI that suppliers demand extra money from all residents in his area. Melroy, who has registered a complaint against his distributor with an oil major company, said that the supplier once demanded Rs 465 for the refilled cylinder, though the amount written on the bill was Rs 416.

"Many of my neighbours too are forced to pay extra money despite rules that mandate distributors not to charge extra other than the billed amount. My enquiry with neighbours and acquaintances revealed that agencies in Mangalore, Bajpe, Moodbidri and Karkala follow the practice of charging the customer extra in the name of transportation charges, to the tune of Rs 20 to Rs 100, over and above the amount printed on the receipt," he added.

Deepak Kamath, a consumer from Surathkal, said that his LPG agency on one occasion had collected Rs 15 extra from him. "Delivery boys of the gas agency pocketed the extra money. I brought the issue to the notice of the LPG sales officer of the oil major company, which took the issue seriously and warned the distributor. The agency also returned the extra amount collected from me following my complaint," he said adding that many customers in the neighbourhood pay additional amount in the name of transportation due to lack of awareness about rules.

Quote

Consumers have to pay the amount mentioned in the cash memo only. In Karnataka, distributors can charge a transportation fee at the rate of Rs 1.6 per km for refill deliveries made beyond 5 km from the dealership. The transportation charge has to be mentioned in the cash memo. - Govind G, senior sales officer, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.