Kerala Congress Criticizes Inconvenient LPG Mustering Process

The Congress in Kerala has raised concerns about the Central government's directive requiring LPG consumers to complete a mustering process at gas agencies. This has caused difficulties, particularly for seniors and women. In response, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has suggested setting up special systems at the ward level and Akshaya Centres to streamline the process.

The Congress in Kerala on Monday criticised the Central government's directive for LPG consumers to undergo a ''mustering process'' at gas agencies, noting that it has particularly impacted senior citizens and women. In a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan highlighted how the current system has created long queues and significant inconvenience for consumers.

According to Satheesan, the mandatory mustering process is intended to ensure LPG cylinders are owned by legitimate customers. However, making consumers complete the process at gas agencies has disrupted the lives of regular LPG holders, a majority of whom are women. These women have been forced to wait in extensive lines for hours, affecting their daily routines.

Satheesan proposed alternative solutions, including setting up ward-level mustering stations and utilizing Akshaya centres for the process, to alleviate the difficulties faced by consumers.

(With inputs from agencies.)