CHENNAI: Oil companies have directed gas agencies to remain open on Sundays to enable office-goers to leisurely complete the registration formalities for the Direct Benefit of Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme that would roll out from the New Year. The move has been welcomed by those eager to get their LPG subsidies credited in their bank accounts.
However, while Bharatgas outlets were open here on Sunday, four Indane outlets were found with shutters down. Indian Oil officials said they have directed dealers to function on holidays and grant compensatory leave for staff later.
“My neighbour informed me that the gas agency was open on Sunday. I am happy that I was able to complete my DBTL formalities,” said R Ravi of Bharathi Nagar, who is a government office clerk.
However, dealers said only around 50 customers turned up on Sunday compared to 400 to 500 on weekdays. “This was because many were not aware that the agencies were open on Sunday,” said E Mohan of Mylapore.
Bharatgas outlets were open till 1 pm. “We are keen on completing maximum seedings by the year-end. So we will function without holidays,” said a Bharatgas official. The manager of an Indane outlet that was shut claimed he had kept it open in the morning but closed as customers did not turn up.