Measure against inadvertentLPG subsidy 'give up'
New Delhi   03-Aug-2015



The oil companies have added a new feature in IVRS (interactive voice response system) to check instances where LPG consumers inadvertently got enrolled under "Give up subsidy" scheme by pressing digit 'O'.

Under the new feature, consumers will be required to press digit '7' after pressing '0' to reconfirm if they want to give up their LPG subsidy.

Hundreds of people in the city got enrolled under the 'Give up subsidy' scheme by pressing '0' in a haste without even listening to all options on phone. This led to cancellation of their subsidy for entire year.

An Indian Oil Company official said, "Even after pressing '0', IVRS will again ask the customer to re-check his/her option and re-confirm by pressing '7'. On reconfirmation by the customer, request would be processed by the distributor. The distributor, too, will again ask the customer's consent over phone and will go ahead with the request after latter's reconfirmation."

The new feature also includes a 'Give it up' form for consumers who do not want to avail LPG subsidy. After a consumer presses '0' and '7' in IVRS, the request will reach the distributor who, in turn, will send this form to consumer's residence. After receiving the form along with the consumer's ID proof, the distributor can manually change the latter's category to 'non-subsidised' in his system.

DP Singh, president of UP chapter, All India LPG Distributors' Federation, said, "Those who have already enrolled under 'Give up Subsidy' have to submit an application and copies of LPG connection and ID proof with the distributor for returning to 'subsidised' category.

WHAT IOC SAYS:
If any consumer wishes to re-avail LPG subsidy after opting out it, he has to submit a written request with the distributor or the oil company's office. Oil company officials will process the request within seven working days and consumer will be entitled to LPG subsidy again.