The Hindu : Front Page : Clear LPG waitlist: Deora

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Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
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Clear LPG waitlist: Deora

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry on Tuesday firmly told oil marketing companies (OMCs) to clear the waiting list of new domestic LPG connections within 60 days and restore normal supply of all kinds of fuels across the country.

Chairing a review meeting of the OMCs here, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora said the supply and distribution of essential petroleum products should be restored to the normal position. Adequate supplies must be ensured in the coming festive season.

However, Petroleum Secretary R. S. Pandey did some “plain talking.” He took the OMCs to task for unilaterally putting new LPG connections on hold. He is learnt to have issued directions that there should be no disruption in LPG supplies in any part of the country. “LPG connections will be available on demand,” Mr. Pandey told journalists after the meeting.

He directed Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, who had gone slow on issuing new LPG connections, to clear the waitlist in two months. He also announced the opening of a Grievance Cell in the Petroleum Ministry.

IOC Chairman Sarthak Behuria said the oil industry had taken certain measures, including supplying only the costlier branded fuel at select petrol pumps and stopping new LPG connections, to tide over the huge revenue losses resulting from the government’s decision not to raise petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene prices in line with the costs.

“We have a waitlist of 6-7 lakh for new LPG connections. We have placed orders for 10 lakh new LPG cylinders to liquidate this waitlist. The consumers will have the choice of normal or branded petrol and diesel at all retail outlets in the country.”

Directive to CEOs

Mr. Pandey said the distribution system would be organised in such a manner that there would be no shortages in the days to come, especially during the festive season.

He bluntly told the CEOs that they should stop blaming the government for their revenue losses and instead do some cost cutting and improve efficiency.

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