*venting mode* how does one get a gas cylinder?

rbbm

So Chennai-wallahs-yet another dilemma of mine-gas cylinders! I've been told it can take up to one month to get a gas cylinder-provided I'm at home when they come home to do an inspection (or some such crazy rule).

I'd like to be able to make some tea/coffee when I move out of my hotel next week and without gas, I'm handicapped. Anyway I can find a gas cylinder or two in a few days?

The IM-er who helps me navigate the gas company system (and gets me a legit/non-legit gas cylinder)gets a home-cooked Punjabi meal

Thanks all-
N

rsk11584

for emergency buy a induction cooker for around 2000 bucks i got a gas connection in 1 day flat, but I had tranferred my gas from other state so it was all legal, for illegal you need to ask your neighbours, ;-) what are the neighbours for ?

Nick-H

There are two kinds of gas "connection"; government (subsidized) and private (non-subsidized). Needless to say, the first is quite a lot cheaper, about 30%, I think. However, unless you are doing a lot of cooking for a family, the non-subsidised one should not cause you hardship.

It is not getting the cylinders, it is getting the regulator that goes on top of the cylinders... this is how they control the market.

There probably is a waiting list, and this probably can be subverted. The way they did it with me, was to say that there was 20-day wait, but if I bought my stove off them I could have stove, gas, and all, that day! Go and talk to them. You need a stove anyway! Try to get two cylinders, otherwise it is a pain the day you run out. You have to pay a deposit on each cylinder.

Keep the booklet they give you, and be very careful to keep the voucher paper: if you loose this (I did) you'll have to run around getting affidavits on stamp paper if you ever change your district, etc.

Have you been to one of the gas suppliers' offices? If not, where do you live? I know where the Mylapore and Besant Nagar Bharatgas offices are.

I would not be without a microwave --- and that can see you through. Also an induction plate as already suggested, although I don't have one of those. With frequent power cuts, though, the independence from electricity that gas gives is a blessing in itself. Even though our hob has automatic lighting, we keep a lighter in the kitchen for powercut times.

Rockyp44

044-24451659. It costs about 2,200 Rs (part of which is a deposit you will not get back), is in Thiruvanmiyur.

Nick-H

If truly "under the table" don't you think that number might attract unwanted official attention?

rsk11584

You mean the telephone number, I googled it and found that it is the number of Sri Hemas Gas Agency Thiruvanmiyur.

Nick-H

Hah! Can't argue with that

BharatGas is in Besant Nagar, by the way, TMM street, inside a small shopping complex. Their Mylapore office is in Venkatesa Agraharam, in the row of shops opposite Shelter Hotel.

Do you serve lobsters? We serve anyone, take a seat

That's how it was when I got my subsidised gas connection, but now it has become harder. When we moved to the Besant Nagar branch the manager was surprised to see a foreigner with a little blue book!

How's yours, Rocky; government or private? How much do you pay for a cylinder refill?

obione980

India will not progress economically as it should while it allows, (yet alone encourages), such restrictive practices!

Nick-H

I would re-phrase that...

India will not progress economically as it should while it allows, (yet alone encourages), the relatively wealthy to take advantage of subsidies that are meant to benefit the poorer people.

DrHeckleAndMrSnide

Nick,
Have you got your gas connection from a government gas agency?
Even Government gas agencies would supply non-subsidized cylinders officially. In such a case, you don't need a ration card, just address proof would do. That's what I seem to recollect when I went seeking for a government gas cylinder connection, but since only a 19 litre cylinder was available there, I went with a private supplier. The difference between subsidized and non-subsidized cylinders is about Rs. 200, I think. Honestly speaking, I don't think many of us on this website really are the ones who should be targeting the subsidy meant for the really needy.

Private gas agencies like Elf gas, Indane, Jyoti Gas etc. also give non-subsidized connections, all legally.

However, be warned, since it is nearing Diwali, be fast else you'll be in a long waiting line for cylinders. Typically Diwali is the time when people prepare lots of foodstuff, sweetmeats etc. so cylinders run out very soon.

__________________
If at first you don't succeed, try management

obione980

Sure you're right, Nick. Poorly drafted legislation, and/or corrupt Public Service.

Love India - detest its entrenched bureaucracy - which is almost totally devoid of any ethical backing!

brishti

one can blame the system / bureaucracy / politicians till the cows come home - and go out again.
the truth is... at some point, citizens of the country have to take the onus of integrity upon themselves.
the ration card, nowadays, for an indian citizen, is also a proof of identity and residence.
surely, a citizen has the wherewithal to distinguish on whether s/he should use the rationing facility or not.

anyways...

ayes for govt agency cylinders:
proof of identity + residence
cheaper
cylinders are bigger

nays for govt agency cylinders:
waiting + red tape to obtain a cylinder
waiting period for the refill [which is why, most homes have 2 cylinders]


ayes for private agencies:
generally, an immediate connection [if all your paperwork is in order]
refill is within an hour of a phonecall [my experience]

nays for private agencies:
cylinders are smaller
cylinders are more expensive




:brishti

obione980

SO! Surely an open, competitive market would be better for all. Quickest delivery/Best price - gets the users' $$$.

It's called market forces - and it works for most commodities most places!

If you want/need to subsidise some consumers - pay them that subsidy in cash (in a pension or social security benefit) - reduces the opportunities for corruption, in that there's only one agency to monitor/supervise.

All just my opinion. There's more than enough babus to run such a system; and carefully supervise one another! Aren't there??

Nick-H

Yes, mine is a subsidised government connection. I didn't know that at the time; my wife-to-be phoned up for me, they said, "yes, we serve foreigners, just like lobsters", and I just went along. There was the little bit of corruption involved in buying the stove from them, but hey, I needed a stove anyway, so it didn't do me any harm. Now I've got it, of course I'm guarding it jealously ! They wouldn't give my landlady a connection, even, a year later in the same house!

At one time, a ration card became necessary, but they can be very difficult to get (never tried, but I'd say not possible for a foreigner; my wife does not have a ration card or a voter card). They require some sort of ID, and want something that they can record so that people do not register for more than one connection. Latest rule (that I heard) is that ration card is not necessary, but some strange document stating that you do not have one is! . Proof of address/residence is needed.

So, if anyone says that it is more socially responsible for those that can afford it anyway to go for 'private' connections, I'd have to agree --- but I'm not giving up my govt. connection!

Gas cylinder corruption:

The subsidised cylinders are strictly meant for residential use. You'll see most of the street-side food places using them for cooking. I've even seen them using fitted covers; what reason to cover the gas cylinder, unless you have something to hide?

The delivery boys know very well who uses a lot of gas, and who uses little. One bottle last us several months, and yet, several times when we call to order a refill, we are told we had one only a couple of weeks ago --- there is a minimum time between refills, maybe 20 days. The ease with which they accept our, "Oh no, we did not," suggests that this is common. I think there is a premium of Rs100 on "black" gas, which is still cheaper than private.
There is an open, competitive market! That is what we are talking about as "private" connections, so, actually, we have the mechanism in place to satisfy all already.

brishti

i'm sure you make sense somewhere, obione, just that - i have absolutely no idea how the market works or dont

the babu's nowadays, moreoftenthanot - are also folks like me.
methinks, the privileged lot shares a huge onus in collaborating with corruption... thats all i was trying to say



:brishti