Rein in delivery boys, LPG distributors told

MADURAI: The district administration on Thursday instructed cooking gas agencies to keep transactions transparent and ensure that the cylinder delivery boys don't fleece consumers.
"The delivery boys should have proper identity cards and drop 'door lock' notice if a house is locked. LPG distributors should convene a meeting and issue a stern warning to delivery boys that they are not supposed to collect excess money from consumers," district revenue officer Velusamy, who presided over the gas consumers' grievance redressal meeting held at the district collector's office, said.
The meeting was attended by consumers, officials from gas companies and distributors.Many consumers raised complaints about the delivery boys who were demanding as much as 40 after delivering LPG cylinders at homes. They alleged that the delivery boys threatened not to deliver the cylinders in future if they are not tipped.
As the meeting progressed, some of them spoke in favour of tipping. "The delivery boys struggle a lot while carrying the heavy cylinders. They often have to climb stairs and go to remote areas for delivery. As they are grossly underpaid, there is no harm in giving them some money," a homemaker said.
However, others stiffly opposed her views. While such voluntary tipping is the discretion of consumers, there should not be any compulsion, some argued.
The consumes also pointed out the issue of banks delinking Aadhaar numbers of those who have accounts in several banks, resulting in not getting the subsidy amount.