Nagpur LPG Dealers Demand ESMA Action Against Oil Companies Over Portal Failures
In Nagpur, LPG dealers have escalated their demands for action against oil companies under the Emergency Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), citing persistent failures in keeping online booking portals operational 24/7. This has led to widespread consumer distress as people scramble for cylinders, exacerbating safety concerns for staff who face extended work hours and public ire.
Legal and Operational Challenges Highlighted
The Maharashtra chapter of the LPG Dealers Association of India (LDAI) has voiced serious apprehensions regarding the safety of their personnel. Dealers argue that while ESMA legally mandates uninterrupted service provision, oil companies are flouting these requirements by not ensuring round-the-clock functionality of their digital platforms. Bablu Tiwari, the state president of LDAI, emphasized the irony of the situation, stating, "ESMA means you cannot stop the service under any condition, it's a legal requirement. Just imagine if any of our dealers, due to fear of life, locks his godown, then cops will land up at his doorstep. But oil companies are failing to keep their online booking portals working 24x7, OTPs are not getting delivered. Shouldn't the ESMA rules apply to oil companies too?"
IT Infrastructure and Consumer Impact
Mahendra Gavai, owner of a gas agency with over 50,000 registered consumers, attributed the escalating crisis to inadequate IT infrastructure upgrades by oil companies. He highlighted that OTP delivery issues have plagued the system for an extended period, leading to numerous consumer complaints. Gavai drew a stark comparison, noting, "Look at the famous dabbawalas of Mumbai, they reach thousands of people without using any technology. You must not force technology where it's not needed. The ground situation is getting worse by the day due to the sluggish online booking system."
Staff Overwork and Safety Risks
The malfunctioning portals have forced delivery staff into grueling shifts, with work hours stretching from eight to fourteen hours daily. Gavai explained, "It is mandatory to punch all authentication codes for deliveries on the same day. With the portal unresponsive most of the time, our staff is forced to work till late night to punch in authentication codes. Plus, we have been given a three-hour window to place orders for load, else it goes over to the next day." Additionally, delivery personnel have requested significant commission hikes—sometimes up to 100%—citing threats to their vehicles laden with cylinders.
Dealers Seek Government Intervention
Feeling unjustly vilified, dealers assert they are merely the public face of oil companies' LPG products, while the root faults lie elsewhere. Gavai lamented, "We are the face of oil companies' LPG products. Currently, the customers feel dealers are villains while the fault lies with someone else." In response, Tiwari announced plans to formally petition the government for enhanced protection at all operational sites. "Cops have been deployed at our office, which is a good move. But police must be deployed at our warehouses where cylinders are stored," he insisted, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive security measures to safeguard both staff and assets amidst the ongoing turmoil.
