A large number of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) consumers are becoming prey to discount rate, wind-screen cleaning and full service of vehicles at the expense of sub-standard gas from some outlets offering incentives in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Many (CNG) stations operating in the twin cities are offering some incentives and discounts to customers to attract them and do more business in today's era of the competitiveness. But this competition instead of benefiting the consumers, is creating problems for them, as some of the CNG stations who offers discount from Rs10 to 25 percent are accused of supplying sub-standard gas and short measuring.
These outlets fascinate the customers by giving 10-25 percent discount, windscreens cleaning on each cylinder's filling, and 'full service' of a vehicle after about Rs2500 to 3000 business. While, some are distributing 'Sonf and Supari' and sweets to create a pleasant change at their stations. 'However, I often experienced that the gas purchased on discount rates was of low quality and not fully compressed,' Azam Khan, a driver of public service van said.
Azhar Rashid, a car owner appreciated the packages being offered at different CNG stations, but complained about the low pressure and low quality gas.
Tanveer Hussain, a specialist of CNG-fitted vehicles informed that the gas, which is not fully compressed, damages the engine and cuts short its life. He pointed out that CNG stations, which have replaced the old machinery with the latest one properly process gas, which give good milage.
When contacted for the comment, a former office bearer of CNG Owners Association on the condition of anonymity told APP that the government has fixed Rs48 for per Kg CNG with a profit of approximately Rs12 percent.
However, some of the stations were giving discount of Rs25 on sale of the CNG amounting to Rs100, he questioned. He claimed that some outlets with connivance of some companies were involved in short measuring thus fleecing the consumers.