Market leader in Punjab, Indian Oil keeps up uninterrupted LPG supply amid Corona crisis
By Raju William
Ludhiana, April 5, 2020: Since lockdown, Indian Oil has delivered 10,29,043 domestic LPG cylinders across Punjab for between March 23 and March 31, 2020 through its existing network of distributorship.
The company, which has over 55 percent market penetration in Punjab, is delivering on an average around 1,14,338 cylinders per day which is similar to the average number of 1,16,312 cylinders delivered before lockdown between March 1 to March 22, 2020, as per official data..
The current backlog for LPG cylinders in Punjab is around 1.5 days which is within the normal delivery time for LPG cylinder.
According to Sujoy Choudhary, IOC Executive Director and State Head-cum-State Level Coordinator, Punjab, the LPG customers are advised not to resort to panic booking or visit the showrooms and godowns of their LPG distributorships for obtaining refills. Strict instructions have also been passed upon the LPG distributorships to not deliver LPG refill from their godowns for ensuring the safety of all.
All customers can book for LPG refills from their own homes through SMS/IVRS, WhatsApp (75888-88824) or online (IndianOil mobile app or https://cx.indianoil.in) or @Paytm for delivery of LPG refill cylinders at their doorsteps.
Customers are also being encouraged to make digital payments wherever possible to avoid unnecessary handling of currency notes because of COVID-19. The LPG emergency helpline number 1906 is also fully operational. Even, the delivery men ensure all safety precautions like Sanitising and social distancing at the time of delivery of LPG cylinders. To avoid panic booking, system has been placed for not accepting LPG booking within a period of 15 days.
Indian Oil’s LPG distributorships are well-stocked for the lockdown period and there is no shortage of LPG. Around 2500 Indane LPG delivery men are ensuring regular cylinder delivery across the State. “To meet the LPG demand, Bottling plants in Punjab are working continuously to ensure Bottling of around 1,16,830 cylinders per day during lockdown period which is almost similar to the performance before lockdown. Even the LPG cylinders before final dispatch from the LPG plants are fully sanitized, thus, ensuring the safety of the general public at every step,” said Choudhary.
As a goodwill gesture and in recognition of the services rendered in these difficult times by LPG showroom staff, godown-keepers, LPG mechanics and LPG delivery boys, retail outlet customer attendants, truck drivers including bulk/pack transporters, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5,00,000 has been announced in case of death of any above-mentioned personnel due to COVID-19. Along with it, Indian Oil has procured medical insurance for around 3.23 lakhs customer attendants, delivery boys, drivers of LPG and POL across the country at a cost of Rs. 22.68 crores for one year; sum assured of Rs. 1,00,000 per family of 4 for medical treatment including COVID related cases.
All Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries in State Punjab will be entitled to free 14.2 kg LPG cylinders for the next three months, ie - April 2020-June 2020 as per recent GOI announcement. At present, Indian Oil has 5.4 lakhs PMUY connections in State Punjab out of a total of 12.2 lakhs PMUY connections across OMC.
Seeing the movement of migrant laborers across the State in response to the call given by PM and Punjab Government, Retail outlet dealers and distributors have come forward for ensuring distribution of free food and grocery items to the needy and migrant people at various places across Punjab like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bhatinda, Sangrur, etc.
“Our Operating locations i.e. Terminals/Depots (Oil Installations) and LPG Bottling plants are ensuring safe distribution of food items to the Truck drivers and needy laborers amidst Corona Lockdown with strict adherence to the norms of Social Distancing,” Choudhary further said..
The IOC is also organizing special awareness camps for the truck drivers at all operating locations adhering to all the safety norms including social distancing as these are involved in transporting the essential commodities across various parts of the region.
In yet another notable gesture, the IOC Dealers/Distributors are also contributing financial assistance towards COVID-19 relief measures in association with local state Govts./Administrations to help #IndiaFightsCorona.