NEW DELHI, July 24:
Cooking gas (LPG) will now be available at select petrol pumps in metro cities after the government allowed sale of small 5-kg cylinders.
5-kg LPG cylinders will be available at company-owned-company-operated petrol pumps, which make up for just 3 per cent of over 47,000 petrol pumps in the country. Also, the gas will be available at market price which is double the rate of Rs 28.8 per kg for subsidised domestic LPG (Rs 410 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi).
“The Government has approved Free Trade LPG (FTL) Scheme for selling 5 kg LPG cylinders through Company Owned Retail Outlets (COCO) PSU Oil Marketing Companies(OMCs),” an official statement said today.
Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily has approved a proposal to launch the scheme on pilot basis in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore for selling 5 kg LPG cylinders with/without Domestic Pressure Regulator (DPR) at COCO retail outlets.
“The OMCs have COCO retail outlets which are accessible to all and are open for longer hours,” it said.
Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum together have 1,440 COCO pumps all over the country.
“This decision has been taken in view of the fact that over the years, a new category of consumers have emerged especially in big cities who are mobile and thus do not want a permanent LPG connection but still require LPG for their needs,” the statement said.
Such customers need flexibility for getting the LPG cylinders as per their convenience and their needs can also be fulfilled by smaller quantities of LPG.
The LPG sold under the scheme will be called Free Trade LPG (FTL). At the time of first sale cost of equipment (cylinder), cost of product at prevailing non-domestic 5-kg cylinders price and administrative charges will be payable.
At the time of subsequent refill, only the cost of product will be payable.
“The prospective customer at the time of first sale would only be required to give a copy of Voter I-Card, Driving license, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card, Bank Pass book, Employees ID, Passport, Student ID or any other such document that can act as a proof of identity,” the statement said.
The scheme is a step towards beginning of free trade of LPG and would make LPG available for wider use especially for those citizens who are always on the move due to their professional needs.
Currently, domestic households are entitled to get 9 cylinders of 14.2-kg each in a year on subsidised rates. Any requirement over and above that is to be bought at market price. (PTI)
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