The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chitagong Correspondent

Although the domestic consumers of natural gas are contributing much in the growth of Bakhrabad Gas System Limited (BGSL), a distribution and marketing company, it gives a litle for this vast segment of consumers other than plight and harassment

Existing consumers have myriads of complaints against the company like pressure fluctuations, unnoticed suspension of supply and customer harassment, while the would-be consumers are geting discouraged because of the company's complicated registering system.

According to some future clients, the company's recent decision of not approving single gas burner for domestic purpose has frustrated a significant quantity of potential would-be subscribers. Lengthy and time-consuming process for becoming registered users is the key reason for making the new clients disgusted. The BGSL approved contractor's inefficiency and negligence are widely believed the reasons behind the complications.

Manzur Rony, a would-be consumer, told this correspondent that he had submited an application for a double-burner connection couple of months ago. The application allegedly did not make any progress until today.

An insider of the company hinted that piles of applications had been gathering dust on the tables of the officials as the company had refrained from approving single-burner connection.

The stories of would-be consumer's plight do not end here, new clients hardly can get gas connection without hiring contractors particularly loyal to a section of the BGSL officials.

Although the company supposes to provide domestic connection to any individual, unless disqualified for the amenity, within six months, there are many instances of more than a year wait to get gas connections alone in the port city.

When contacted, Deputy General Manager (DGM-Revenue) of the BGSL Mohammad Abdus Sobhan Mojumdar declined to talk to this correspondent He referred him to DGM (Distribution) Engineer Firoz Alam for information.

The DGM (Distribution) had been away from his office and his Personal Assistant (PA) advised this correspondent to contact the company's central office in Comilla.