Oct 18, 2008

India - Double cylinder LPG freeze to go

Sujay Mehdudia

Wait list to be wiped out by month-end

NEW DELHI: Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey has asked Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to prepare an action plan to end the freeze on new double cylinder LPG connections and promised to eliminate the waiting list by the end of this month.

“I have asked the OMCs to come out with a proper plan and time frame under which the “freeze” on release of double LPG cylinders will be put to an end. People will soon start getting double cylinder connections also as we are in the process of working out a proper plan to ensure that the scheme takes off smoothly. We are committed to increasing the interface between the OMCs and the crores of consumers and ensure they do not face any agony or harassment,” Mr. Pandey said here on Thursday. At the same time, he said his promise of completely eliminating the waiting list for LPG cylinders within 90 days time would soon be realised.

“We had a waiting list of 8 lakh connections two months ago and it has been now reduced to one lakh. This will also be eliminated at the end of this month. We will ensure that people get their LPG connections and petro products during this festive season,” he said.

The Ministry, he added, had taken steps to ensure that LPG and petro product consumers faced no shortage. Mr. Pandey said although the sector had the largest public interaction, the citizen satisfaction was minuscule.

He has also reviewed the plans of the OMCs for adopting Euro IV norms and the companies were confident that they would be able to meet the deadline.

No comments: