New Delhi: Oil marketing companies of state are now selling mini cooking gas cylinder of 5 Kilogram at subsidized rates of about Rs 150 each all over the country. These cylinders are also sold in some petrol pump at Rs 350 each.
#Oil #Minister #Dharmendra #Pradhan said, “Public sector oil marketing companies have reported that they are already marketing 5-kg cylinders at subsidized rate. Up to 34 cylinders of 5-kg capacity are given at subsidized rate to a customer in a year and consumption beyond 34 cylinders in a year is at non-subsidized rate.”
Government policy directed that a customer is entitled to consume 12 LPG cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidized rate in a year.
He said, “This would certainly help the poor to purchase LPG as per his actual requirement. At present a consumer is forced to purchase 14.2-kg cylinder at a time and pay more than Rs 400. This is a huge sum for the poor to pay at one go. Instead, he pays one-third the cost and get a 5-kg cylinder without losing his entitlement of total 170.4 kg of subsidized LPG in a year.”
Oil ministry and industrial #officials said, “5-kg cylinders can’t be used in taxis, restaurants or catering units. But, at least 25% 14.2-kg cylinders are diverted for commercial usage because of price advantage.”
Oil ministry said, “Only registered consumers get subsidy on the small cylinder, while un-registered customers can purchase these cylinders from petrol pumps without much paper-works by paying market rates.”
On request of anonymity, an Indian Oil Corp (#IOC) executive said, “Small 5-kg cylinders are popular in far-flung areas, villages and small towns. In Delhi, people want LPG in bulk to avoid booking it in small intervals. So, we do not sale such cylinders in Delhi.”
Bureau Report
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