<p>The government had issued a notification last month stating that all the vehicles which run on LPG will have to obtain a no leakage certificate during the annual exercise to obtain vehicle fitness certificate. <br /><br />Joint Transport Commissioner Vijay Vikram said the Government would make it mandatory to give the LPG kits to the lab for checkup only once in five years.<br /><br />However, the autorickshaw drivers suspect lobbying by a new facility behind the Government’s decision. Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union president Meenakshi Sundaram said: “A new testing facility has been set up and there is a nexus between the government and the facility owner.” <br /><br />Dars Automobiles Inc has set up a centre in Nelamangala, which is said to be the first of its kind in the State to conduct a hydro static test.<br /><br />Vikram refuted the charges, saying: “The Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004, makes it compulsory for LPG-run vehicle to obtain the No Gas Leakage Certificate. We are issuing a notice now because the State did not have a facility until October this year.” <br /><br />Approval from Chief Controller of Explosives Department delayed the setting up of the centre, he said. ARDU has submitted a memorandum to the transport department, seeking to convene a meeting with gas kit manufacturers, testing facility owner and auto drivers.<br /><br />Auto drivers have suspected that the oil companies are being benefited by the lack of LPG test apparatus at fuel stations. Inayath, an auto driver, said the drivers won’t get the fuel worth the money they pay at the fuel stations due to lack of the measuring apparatus, and the meters are tampered with. “When checked after the refilling, we found mileage was rather low,” he added. <br /><br />An official from Indian Oil Company told Deccan Herald that there is no lack of measuring apparatus. “However, it is not feasible for us or any other companies to fit the same at all our fuel stations. Also it is an investment which will not give us any returns,” said the official. <br /><br />Manager of IOC fuel station on St Mark’s Road, R Mariyappa said: “All pumps are German-made and imported, and it is not possible for these meter readings to be tampered with or faulty. Vehicle owners can lodge their complaints at our head office or contact me.”</p>
<p>The government had issued a notification last month stating that all the vehicles which run on LPG will have to obtain a no leakage certificate during the annual exercise to obtain vehicle fitness certificate. <br /><br />Joint Transport Commissioner Vijay Vikram said the Government would make it mandatory to give the LPG kits to the lab for checkup only once in five years.<br /><br />However, the autorickshaw drivers suspect lobbying by a new facility behind the Government’s decision. Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union president Meenakshi Sundaram said: “A new testing facility has been set up and there is a nexus between the government and the facility owner.” <br /><br />Dars Automobiles Inc has set up a centre in Nelamangala, which is said to be the first of its kind in the State to conduct a hydro static test.<br /><br />Vikram refuted the charges, saying: “The Gas Cylinder Rules, 2004, makes it compulsory for LPG-run vehicle to obtain the No Gas Leakage Certificate. We are issuing a notice now because the State did not have a facility until October this year.” <br /><br />Approval from Chief Controller of Explosives Department delayed the setting up of the centre, he said. ARDU has submitted a memorandum to the transport department, seeking to convene a meeting with gas kit manufacturers, testing facility owner and auto drivers.<br /><br />Auto drivers have suspected that the oil companies are being benefited by the lack of LPG test apparatus at fuel stations. Inayath, an auto driver, said the drivers won’t get the fuel worth the money they pay at the fuel stations due to lack of the measuring apparatus, and the meters are tampered with. “When checked after the refilling, we found mileage was rather low,” he added. <br /><br />An official from Indian Oil Company told Deccan Herald that there is no lack of measuring apparatus. “However, it is not feasible for us or any other companies to fit the same at all our fuel stations. Also it is an investment which will not give us any returns,” said the official. <br /><br />Manager of IOC fuel station on St Mark’s Road, R Mariyappa said: “All pumps are German-made and imported, and it is not possible for these meter readings to be tampered with or faulty. Vehicle owners can lodge their complaints at our head office or contact me.”</p>
