The absurdities of owning a LPG connection in India

Ours is an amazing country. In India, there are rules, then there are more rules and then more absurd rules. This hold true not just in one walk of life. We Indians are so fond of rules that we fail to find wrongs in them even when they border on the absurd.

I shall narrate a personal incident that i have faced. I have a LPG connection with Bharat Gas for almost 1.5 years. Few months back i came to know that my connection was blocked for not ordering a cylinder in 6 months. I had to fill the KYC form again and resubmit other relevant documents. Though i was a little surprised by such a rule, I vowed to make sure that i order a connection at least once in 6 months. The thought still lingered, what about those who have very limited consumption or who are constantly travelling? Would they have to resubmit the documents as there connections would get blocked invariably?

In mid-feb, i converted my connection to a subsidised one. Now recently when i went to the agency, i came to know that the connection has been blocked again. Reason? I had not ordered a subsidised cylinder after conversion.....ugh!!How am i supposed to know that i have to order a cylinder to keep myself from being blocked? If i don't need a cylinder, why should i order one? I am trying to imagine the kind of person who would have thought of making such crappy rules. What benefit do they derive by blocking connections and then asking people to resubmit documents? Isn't it a waste of time and resources with absolutely no upside to anyone. Such a rule in a country like ours will only cause wastage and profligacy.

but my ordeal was not over. I went over to the Bharat Gas office to enquire about things and get them fixed. To my surprise, i was offered another explanation. The last time i had ordered cylinder, it was cancelled. There were 2 orders, both of which were cancelled. As a matter of fact, i did receive a cylinder in one of these orders. But as per there records, there was no cylinder in my name in last 6 months and hence it was blocked.

I think these guys have done a PHD in harassing the public. I have few grouses against the delivery of such pathetic services:

• The rules are so ridiculous that they could be used in Kapil Sharma's comedy nights.
• The rules are so vague that even there own staff and agency people interpret them differently.
• The rules have been made in such a way that it makes you question the intelligence and competence of the person making them.
• The rules are made without keeping the interests of the consumers in mind. At the end of the day, it is the public which is getting harassed.

To add to the misery the agency person says that these rules have been made by this Congress government and would change again once a new government comes to power. O GOD! another set of stupid rules to deal with in the next few months.....