Apply MESMA on LPG dealers, CM urged

An NGO has asked chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to invoke the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) against LPG dealers if they do not withdraw their threat to stop home delivery of cylinders from October 1.

In a letter to the CM, Help Mumbai Foundation stated that as the threat of LPG distributors to stop home delivery of cylinders from October 1 has not yet been withdrawn, panicking consumers had started hoarding cylinders, which, it claimed, was evident from reports that there was about a 15% increase in collection of cylinders from LPG agencies.

“While the consumers are panic-stricken, the state government, except for issuing a press statement threatening to take action against the LPG distributors, has done little to give any relief to LPG consumers or to resolve the issues raised by the LPG distributors,” read the letter, while stating that though the issues raised by the distributors were relevant, their decision to stop home delivery needed to be condemned.

“If LPG distributors fail to withdraw their threat to stop home delivery of LPG cylinders, the state government must invoke MESMA and take action if the members of the federation stop home delivery,” it demanded.