Shortage of gas forces Pindiites to run after LPG

Rawalpindi:The residents of Rawalpindi have been forced to buy Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on higher rates due to loadshedding of gas in city and cantonment board areas. The city district government, Rawalpindi seems to have a soft corner for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealers who are looting helpless public with both hands since arrival of winter. They are selling 1-kilogram LPG at Rs140-Rs150 openly against fixed rate of Rs100 but concerned government officers are yet to register even a single FIR against them in this regard.

The rate of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has almost doubled in a month as 1-kilogram of the commodity was available at Rs75-Rs80 but now it is selling at Rs140-Rs150. It is due to schedule of gas loadshedding by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) which is around 20 hours daily. The only hours during the day when gas is available in full pressure is from 2 am to 6 am regularly.

The LPG retailers are taking full advantage of gas crisis and looting public with both hands, but the concerned authorities are taking no action against these profiteers. The LPG dealers are selling 15kg LPG cylinder for Rs2000, 11kg cylinder for Rs1600 and empty gas cylinder for Rs5000. It is also worth mentioning here that many dealers are giving only 2 to 3 kg gas to the consumers trying to create an artificial shortage of LPG.

According to a survey conducted by ‘The News’ people belonging to lower and middle segment of society are looking for cheaper second hand cylinders. These second hand cylinders are cheaper in price but also dangerous.

Assistant Commissioner (Rawalpindi) Tasleem Ali Khan said that they were imposing fines against profiteers for selling LPG on higher price. “We have formed a special squad to monitor profiteers in city and cantonment board areas,” he claimed. He appealed to the people not to purchase sub-standard cylinders as it was dangerous.

Muhammad Naeem, a resident of Adiala said that he was using LPG at his home because of gas loadshedding in his area all the time. “Although the price of LPG is so high but I don’t have any other option, he added. He said LPG dealers were selling gas in black and giving the reason of its shortage. They have increased its prices to reap maximum benefit. The concerned authority should take notice of this increase and take action against such dealers.

Shazia Noreen, a housewife alleged that SNGPL is fully backing LPG sellers for selling their commodity on double prices in absence of natural gas. “We are facing hell like situation in winter but government is not interested in resolving public grievances,” she denounced. She said that they buy expensive LPG in state of helplessness.

The children and office goers are disturbed, as at times they have to skip their breakfast. “It is really annoying when everyone is in hurry to start their daily activities in the morning and do not get the breakfast ready on time due to zero gas pressure and sometimes have to skip breakfast that affects their health as well as daily work,” Fazeelat Bibi, another housewife said.

Naveed Khan, a LPG dealer said that they were selling commodity according to rates fixed by government. He admitted that some dealers were looting public with both hands and selling LPG on higher price.

Gas pressure in most localities of Rawalpindi and adjoining rural areas was zero which irked citizens day and night. The worst affected areas included Adiala Road, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Gulistan Colony, Naik Alam, Mohanpura, Waris Khan, Bangash Colony, Fauji Colony, Chungi No.22, Lalazar, Dheri, Tali Mori, Tanch Bhatta, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Dhoke Kala Khan, Millat Colony, Bakra Mandi, Dhoke Syedan, Amar Pura, Shah Khalid Colony, Tipu Road, Raheemabad, Nadeem Colony, Chamanzar, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Mangtaal, Mukha Singh Estate, Morgah, Kotha Kalan, Scheme No-III, Garibabad, Dhoke Kashmirian, Qasim Market, Range Road, Jhanda Chichi, Tehmaspabad, Pirwadhai and areas inside the cantonment. The LPG sellers particularly are looting consumers in these affected localities and selling commodity in double rates.