ISLAMABAD: The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distributors association has called upon the government to launch a crackdown on business elements involved in illegal activity of manufacturing substandard cylinders which have claimed several lives.
" Only seven factories are authorized in the country to manufacture LPG cylinders, but alone in Gujranwala around 350 factories are involved in illegal activity of manufacturing substandard cylinders and the same product is being sold across the country," the association's chairman Irfan Khokhar told APP on Monday.
He said a letter, highlighting the issue, had been written to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority(OGRA) and chief minister Punjab to take punitive action against those elements forthwith.
He also dispelled the impression of shortage of LPG, saying there was adequate stock of the gas available to fulfil requirements.
Though, presently, the chairman said production from a MOL's field was late but a total of around 530 metric ton production would land in market, soon, translating into retail price reduction, which would go a long way in extending relief to consumers.
Similarly, he said an action would be taken against those sales point holders who were overcharging by imposing Rs 100,000 fine.
He was of the view the LPG distributors and the retailers should observe safety standards in order to avoid any untoward incident.
He said the association in collaboration with the government would launch a drive after March 30 against the profiteers and violators of the safety measures.
He was of the view the LPG was mainly used as burning fuel by people in remote areas and rising trend in its price put extra burden on their pockets.
He added, the government could promote the LPG as alternate fuel to take effective steps for encouraging opening of LPG auto gas stations, across the country.
He assured that the LPG association would be fully co-operating with the government by presenting workable proposals to resolve issues for promoting LPG to extend immediate relief to consumers who were already faced with high prices of daily-use commodities.
He said many investors were making efforts to open LPG auto gas stations, replacing the CNG in order to provide environment- friendly and safe fuel to consumers.
"We have high hopes from government to take effective steps for provision of relief to common people by promoting the LPG and opening its filling stations, across the country," he observed.
He said association had also worked out proposals and recommendations to water down policy with regard to opening LPG auto gas stations in the country.
He also underlined the need for taking solid steps to explore indigenous hydrocarbon resources to effectively tackle the energy challenges confronting the country.
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