The angry councilors said that despite booking a month in advance, the cylinder was not available. The employees reaching the wards with gas are shrugging off the issue saying that the cylinders have run out. During this time, the people present in the agency said that the message of cylinder delivery has come but they have not received the gas yet.

Many people, including councilors Neema Bhatt and Shailendra Danu, went straight to the Kumaon Commissioner’s residence after the agency to meet him, but the meeting could not take place as he was present in some meeting.

Giving wrong information proved costly

The agency manager had talked about gas delivery in Hiranagar on Monday. On this the councilor informed the people but people expressed their displeasure when the gas was not delivered.

Order related to five kg cylinder not received

The local administration did not receive any order on Monday after the decision of the Petroleum Ministry to include five kg cylinders in the identity card. There is a stock of more than 1500 such cylinders in the district. The agency located at Saras Market does not have their stock. The agency manager said that a demand has been made for 60 cylinders.

Gas cylinders are being distributed across the district as per booking. No new order has been received for distribution of five kg FTL commercial and domestic cylinders. These cylinders are being given only to those with connections. – Manoj Burman, District Supply Officer

Mayor had warned of lockdown

In the Municipal Corporation board meeting on March 31, Mayor Gajraj Bisht expressed his displeasure over the gas shortage. He had warned of a lockout of the agency if the distribution system was not improved. People are angry as the situation remains the same even after six days. Here the Mayor has said that information has been taken from the councillors. Indane has made some improvement in delivery in three days. Gas distribution will be inspected again in two days. Action will be taken if flaws are found.

When the cylinder was not given on DAC number, the villagers stopped the vehicle filled with gas.

Villagers created ruckus in Ramni Gram Sabha of Lamachaud, Haldwani over non availability of gas cylinder. On Monday, the vehicle of Indane Agency had reached the village with the cylinder and the villagers were also standing in a queue. As soon as the turn of cylinder distribution came, a dispute arose over the DAC number.

DAC numbers were issued to the villagers after booking in March, but the agency personnel objected to giving cylinders to those with such numbers. There was a lot of argument between both the parties on this matter. The villagers parked the vehicle at the spot. He said that despite having DAC number, he was not being given gas.

On information, District Panchayat member Dr. Chhavi Kandpal reached the spot. He talked to the SDM and GM of KMVN over phone. He said that many people who had booked from March 13 to March 25 have not received the cylinder. Chhavi reported that GM has assured to release the new DAC numbers within three days. People calmed down on this.

Booking our cylinder given to someone else

During the uproar in Ramani, villagers alleged that the gas cylinder had been given to someone else on their booking. This was also confirmed after going to the agency. The villagers also accused the agency personnel of arbitrariness.