Addressing the media at Mantralaya today, committee chairman Bindumadhav Joshi informed, consumer protection activists and organisations from all over the State will participate in the month-long operation.

``Operation Gas is being observed to keep a control over erring LPG distributors and technicians statewide. Government authorities and social organisations will jointly conduct a survey of LPG distributors,'' Joshi said. He further added, ``Since certain directives have been issued to the distributors based on rules of the Petroleum ministry and Consumer Protection Act, this survey will help determine whether these rules are being flouted and if consumers are being cheated. Legal action will be initiatedagainst those found guilty.''

He also alerted LPG users about bogus technicians visiting houses under the pretext of checking gas-stoves and charging exorbitant rates for minor technical faults. ``It has been observed that in the last few months unauthorised people visit houses and check the gas stoves. They than claim that the stove is badly damaged and charge heavy fees for even replacing minor parts. The citizens are advised to check the identity card of the technician. Besides, they should get their stoves checked from authorised distributors only,'' Joshi added.

He informed that over 8,000 taxis and 7,000 private vehicles were illegally using LPG meant for domestic distribution. ``The LPG distributors and others are running a racket in this and making over 250 per cent profit. In the process over 1.15 lakh consumers are deprived of LPG cylinder at home every month. We request people to come forward and inform us about the defaulters so that action can be initiated,'' Joshi said.

He further informedthat the State consumer redressal forum so far has received 3,202 complaints out of which 2,193 have been cleared and 1,009 are pending. At the district level, the figures were 9,101, 5,619 and 3,482 respectively, he said. ``About 70 per cent cases were decided in favour of the complaining consumers and the rest were discarded for various reasons,'' he said. He added that the State Government was planning to introduce a course in consumer protection in all colleges from next academic year. A diploma in consumer protection has been introduced in the Yashwantrao Chavan Open University already and two out of seven textbooks have been prepared, he said.

For complaints regarding irregularities of LPG distribution and maintainance of gas-stoves, citizens can inform the State Government at the following address: State Co-ordinator, Oil Industry-Maharashtra, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Maker Tower, 12th floor, E-wing, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai: 400 005. Telephone No: 022-2189172.