The OTP system implemented by the Central Government for transparency in gas cylinder delivery became a headache for consumers (Photo: Jagran)
Dialogue Sutra, Talwandi Sabo. The mobile OTP system was implemented by the Central Government with the aim of bringing transparency in the gas cylinder delivery system and stopping fake deliveries, but this system is now becoming a cause of trouble for the common people.
Gas consumers living in urban areas as well as villages and rural areas are particularly troubled by this system. Consumers say that sometimes OTP does not arrive on time due to weak mobile network. In some cases, the OTP comes after several minutes or does not come at all, due to which the delivery of the gas cylinder is postponed. Due to this, people have to visit the gas agency offices again and again.
This problem is affecting the elderly, illiterate people and poor families the most. In many homes, the gas connection is registered in the name of another family member, even though that person is not present at home at the time of delivery.
In such a situation, due to lack of OTP, the cylinder is not available, due to which the household work gets affected. People said that sometimes arguments arise even with the delivery staff. Delivery personnel cite their own rules, while consumers cite their own compulsions.
Due to this tense situation, conflict between the two sides is increasing. Rohi Ram Singh, a consumer of village Natheha, says that the intentions of the government may be right, but the ground reality was not kept in mind while making the policy. Even today, mobile network problem persists in many areas.
Along with this, many people are not yet completely familiar with the digital process. He said that the government should open a shop for cylinders in every village, so that people can easily get cylinders, because the vehicle carrying the cylinder comes only once a day.
If the cylinder suddenly runs out then people are left with no option. Social organizations and consumer forums have also expressed concern over this issue. Gurdeep Singh Toor says that where digital systems are being made mandatory, people should also be given proper facilities and options.
He demanded that arrangements should be made for cylinder delivery for the elderly and remote areas on the basis of biometric or identity card. People have appealed to the government and gas agencies to make the OTP system more flexible, so that common citizens do not have to face any kind of inconvenience. If this problem is not resolved in time, then in the future people may be forced to adopt the path of agitation.