There are thousands of LPG customers who have applied for second cylinders. As cylinders become available, these customers should be given the second cylinder for the current price of Rs. 1250 in the order in which they have filed their applications. But some LPG dealers are bypassing the seniority list by offering "schemes" in which a customer can get a second cylinder for an inflated price and he gets in addition to the cylinder such unwanted items as pressure cookers, stoves, etc.
Such a practice in which the availability a particular goods is tied with the purchase of other goods is a restrictive trade practice which is prohibited by law. Secondly, the dealers issue receipts only for Rs. 1250 and so the rest of the money is unreceipted, which is again illegal.
We have checked with various LPG dealers and it appears that all applications before December 2006 should be cleared by now. If you applied for a second cylinder before December, 2006 and have not yet received it, complain to the dealer. If you have paid more for the second cylinder under any "scheme", again complain to the dealer and get the excess money refunded.
If complaints to the dealer do not work, complain to the concerned oil company. The phone numbers are: Mr. Mohan (BPC) 94481 17453, Mr. Borkar (HPC) 99026 50151 and Mr. Shiva Prakash (IOC) 94482 85525.