Unethical practices by the Gas Distributors
I had been to an Indane gas distributor in connection with the transfer of gas connection in favour of my sister following the demise of her husband in whose name the connection was obtained earlier.
The staff gave me the application form and told me to attach xerox copies of the death certificate, the ID and address proof and photo of my sister who is the transferee. I was also told to pay Rs.1568. On enquiry, the staff stated that Rs.568 represents the loan/advance which the government pays to consumers as subsidy which is to be returned owing to the termination of the gas connection. Rs.1000 is towards the cost of fireball extinguisher.
After making the payment, I had a talk with the sales officer-in-charge of Indane gas, seeking to know whether the process and payment were in order. He told me that he will get back to me after speaking to the distributor. Thereafter, I got a call from the owner of the agency. He told me that the fire extinguisher is the product of Indane and that it will be useful in case of any fire mishaps. He further stated that the consumers are at liberty either to accept or decline as there is no compulsion to purchase the same. When I told him that I do not need the same, he stated that Rs.1000/- would be refunded to us.
When there is no compulsion for the consumers to purchase the products being offered by the gas distributors, why, in the first place, are they being thrust upon the consumers? If the consumers are not in the know of things, the distributors would definitely take them for a ride.
When I was with the distributor, I saw a staff member handing over the fire extinguisher to a consumer without evening telling as to what the product was all about, how it had to be used and the like. The said consumer must have thought that it needed to be purchased! And, for him, it is a dead investment.
Even when a new connection is given, the distributors ask the consumers to purchase from them various items including the apron. Why should anyone purchase items being offered by the distributors? Why are the oil marketing companies [OMC] not taking action against the distributors indulging in unethical practices? Does it mean that the OMCs are hand in glove with the distributors?
Further, every distributor must display the details of stocks available and the name of the sales officer from Indane who is in-charge with his/her contact number. Many distributors do not display the names of the sales officers in order that their unethical deals are not brought to the notice of the OMCs. This must be curbed and the OMCs must ensure that the display board indicates the name of the sales officers of Indane gas with their mobile numbers.
V.S. Jayaraman
ramvsj@gmail.com
Madras Week – some counter questions
I read the front page article, Yet another Madras Day comes to a close, but how do we make it better? (MM September 1-15) and got its general drift but would like to pose counter questions. Do we need to make Madras Day celebrations better? Isn’t enough enough? It is my humble opinion as evidenced by the contents of the issue that it’s time to sit back and bask in the afterglow of the celebrations. It’s too early to ask what next but as they say, doubting minds think. Again, I am afraid we are overthinking it. Did I participate in the celebrations? No. But I sure get vicarious pleasure. And in my own way celebrate the romantic ‘idea’ of Chennai nay Madras, it’s past and present and future too.
It is relevant here to state that Mahaperiyava, the Sage of Kanchi, is said to have suggested to a devotee, Tripurasundari, to pray that she should always be born in Mylapore in every birth of hers, and have the constant fortune of getting the darsan of Goddess Karpagambal! When I heard this piece of news it tickled my senses. Next time I meet Annachi of Karpagamal Stores I will ask him about it. Do you know? Parts of Thiruvanmiyur near Marundeeswarar temple have a similar vibe that the Mada Veedhis of Mylapore have. You can see on the gopuram (ECR side) the words ‘Marundeeswaram’. Yes like Rameswaram and Thirunageswaram. My recent recce (I hope to make more visits) to Thiruvottriyur has left me asking for more. Lest I wander away, I wish to taper off.
To me Madras Day celebrations spilled over to September. Around the Vinayaka Chaturthi gala, I took a quick dekko with some new friends at Kosapet to stare in wonder at the Ganesas lined up there. My peep into Google says the place was originally called Kuyavar Pettai which means ‘Potter’s locality’. In summary, the Karuppur Kalamkriya art that quietly illustrates the article has the last word: ‘I love Madras’.
T.K. Srinivas Chari
srinivaschar@gmail.com
Small Airstrips for States
The writeup on Madras Air Taxi Service by John Isaacs in MM, July 16-31, 2026, was interesting. I wish to share
here that I tried to promote a similar, but informal service – which could be availed only if and when passengers were available – when I was Secretary, Tourism, Govt of India.
There are more small airstrips with the State Governments than with the Govt. of India, a World War II legacy. These could be utilised by having informal take-offs as and when passengers turn-up. My wife and I saw such an arrangement in Norway with twin-otters of 12 capacity.
Similarly, in anchorage, small planes fly from the lake or takeoff from the ground. The accompanying photo is that of a jungle-landing wherein you can see the lady pilot and me sipping coffee.
Our Prime Minister inaugurated such a service on the Sabarmati. Though the launch was successful, the company could not carry on after three months
We always think of huge enterprises like the one at Parandur, so near Chennai, depriving people of agricultural land. Let us think innovatively!
Dr. G. Sundaram, IAS (R),
Chennai