Information: Dealers here are insisting to buy a new Gas Stove with the new connection

[kamlesh.ahuja]

I would like to know about the new LPG gas connection.

I stay in Nagpur, I need a new Domestic LPG connection. Dealers here are insisting to buy a new Gas Stove with the new connection. If one doesnt want to buy new Gas Stove than they are not giving it. They are asking Rs.3500/- for the same. What I know is it actually costs somewhere around Rs.1200/- if one buys only gas connection alongwith refill, gas pipe and regulator, than why one should pay Rs.2200/- for the Gas Stove. The ISI mark Gas Stoves of good companies are available some where around Rs.1000/- to Rs.1500/-, why to pay Rs.2200/- for a local Gas Stove. I have been to Bharat Jyoti Agency in Yeshwant Stadium, Nagpur who is the dealer for Bharat Gas.

Can you help me on this. I just want to know from Bharat Gas Company whether one has to buy the Gas Stove from the Dealer or one can directly buy from outside.

[opsharma]

Kamlesh,welcome to RTIIndia,here we exclusively deal with RTI related matters. Can you please post your query at our sister site ; http://www.bighelpers.org Thanks

Kamlesh,since its urgent,you NEED NOT BUY stove from agency or distributor.you can buy ISI marked stove from anywhere. THIS IS BHARAT GAS rule.

[karira]

kamlesh,

You can use RTI to get this matter clarified/sorted out.

File a RTI Application with Bharat Gas and ask for:

1. Certified copy of the rules and regulations issued by Bharat Gas to its domestic gas distributors, which state that the consumer must buy the gas stove from the distributor if he needs a gas connection, otherwise connection will not be given.

2. Certfied copy of any letter or any other communication made to M/s Bharat Jyoti Agency,........,................, Nagpur, allowing them to insist to a new customer that he must buy a gas stove from the distributor before a connection can be give.

[maneesh]

You can also lodge a complain with the Bharat Gas. Infact this is the problem with most of the distributors who are insisting on buying stove with the connection to make extra profit. I have came to know the same issue from indane and HP Dealers as well.

[karira]

Originally Posted by maneesh

You can also lodge a complain with the Bharat Gas. Infact this is the problem with most of the distributors who are insisting on buying stove with the connection to make extra profit. I have came to know the same issue from indane and HP Dealers as well.

Maneesh,

In fact that is why I suggested to use RTI.

That way, the company will issue a strict warning to the distributor and at least for the next one month or so...they will not do it.

With so many similar complaints, why can't these companies put up boards at the distributors premises stating "it is not obligatory to purchase your stove....."

[opsharma]

Reference:
http://www.bharatpetroleum.com
go to :homes- faq- how do I get LPG connection , and second para under this heading.

The company website ,open to all,clearly states that its not mandatory to buy stove from distributors,only it should have ISI mark .

[ganpat1956]

Half a dozen posts and the thread is still continuing in "New Member Introduction". I am shifting it to RTI Query

[TSBehera]

You lodge your complaint to Sales Officer,Bharat Gas,the dealer can't insist.

[kushal]

I had replied the non-RTI way here

http://www.bighelpers.org/forum/gas-...onnection.html

[kamlesh.ahuja]

Thankyou RTI and also the member of RTI who helped in guiding me to get a new Gas Connection without Hotplate. Mr. Karira, Mr. O P Sharma, Mr. Ganpat, Mr. Kushal, Mr. T S Behera & Mr. Maneesh. I would also like to a part of this association. I also want to help other the way you all have helped me.

Once again thanks for guiding me.

[karira]

As reported in The Economic Times, Hyderabad Edition, on 5 July 2008:
Article Window

LPG dealers to face probe for unsolicited stove offer

FAIR trade regulator Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Commission on Thursday directed its investigating arm to probe into complaints that certain oil companies are instigating their LPG dealers to compel consumers seeking fresh connections to also purchase gas stoves from them. Globally, abuse of dominance in one segment of the industry to suppress competition in related sectors is regarded as an anti-competitive practice. One well-known case involves Microsoft, which was alleged to have used its leadership position in the Windows Operating System to reduce competition in other software applications.

The commission has given 90 days for the Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to complete the investigation. PSU majors like Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum and their respective dealers HP gas, Indane and Bharat gas dominate the manufacture and distribution of re-fillable LPG cylinders.

“The MRTPC is directing the DGIR to see whether gas dealers are insisting upon purchase of chulas (gas stoves) from them while issuance of a new connection. They will also probe as to if some of the oil companies have directed them formally or informally to sell a particular brand of gas stoves,” official sources said. They said that the commission’s action has been initiated on the basis of public complaints as well as information that one of the premier oil companies was resorting to such practices. Officials say that prima-facie, oil companies as well as their dealers are guilty of restrictive trade practice.

Hassled consumers, who have often complained about such practices by gas dealers, have started approaching consumer courts to get their grievances redressed. Now, with the MRTPC initiating an official probe into such allegations, it is likely that the government may take some stringent steps to curb such malpractice.

Sources, however, say that it is not the first time that such an action has been initiated. In the late ‘80s and ‘90s, several complaints were taken up by the MRTPC, in one of which, a clear direction was given to gas dealers to prominently display a declaration stating that consumers were free to purchase gas stoves from anywhere and release of gas connections shall not be denied or delayed from not having purchased gas stoves from them.

The present probe by the DGIR will examine if oil companies or their dealers have ignored the commission’s earlier directions.


VIGILANT EYES
MRTP has given 90 days for
the Director General of Investigation and Registration (DGIR) to complete the investigation
Abuse of dominance in one
segment of the industry to suppress competition in related sectors is regarded as an anti-competitive practice
PSU majors like Hindustan
Petroleum, Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum and their respective dealers HP gas, Indane and Bharat gas dominate the manufacture and distribution of re-fillable LPG cylinders

[bahl_ajay]

Originally Posted by TSBehera

You lodge your complaint to Sales Officer,Bharat Gas,the dealer can't insist.

In our district there is only one sales manager looking after a very huge area of Haryana for Indane. Most of the times his mobile number is either busy, out of reach or he is least bothered to pick up and answer the call.

As we all are aware all these happen with the dealers and the reps of oil PSUs being hand in glove. They all know what is happening and nothing is done.

A simple solution is to make the new registration a centralised or online process being done directly by the company itself.

[Bijanray]

I had similar experience with Indane gas dealer of Behala area of Kolkata for a new gas connection. The dealer wanted me to buy the stove from him and also mentioned that it is the directive from gas company itself. Though dealer initially refused to give connection (in spite of original sanction letter), but after some argument he agreed to comply. I am not sure who is the culprit--may be gas company has given such instruction (need probing!)=BK Ray

[opsharma]

Kamlesh Ahuja, can you please post as to how did you finally solve your problem regarding Gas Stove . Thanks.