Centre launches sale of subsidised 5-kg LPG cylinders for BPL

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday launched the sale of subsidised 5-kg LPG cylinders for BPL families and others. He also announced Centre's plan to introduce smaller cooking gas cylinders weighing even one and two kgs.

"LPG being a cleaner fuel, helps in creating better and smoke less cooking environment. This will greatly help women's health," Pradhan said while launching the service at a function in Salia Sahi slum area.

The Union Minister launched the scheme as part of the oil companies' CSR activities to cover BPL population in urban areas. "The facility is a part of the welfare programmes being undertaken by Narendra Modi Government. It has been launched at the direction of the Prime Minister," Pradhan said.

Under the pilot scheme, a BPL family would be provided with LPG connection while there would be no requirement of paying security deposit and cost of pressure regulator, Pradhan said.

Encouraging people to take advantage of the scheme which is available till March 31, the Minister said the central government is also considering introduction of smaller LPG cylinders weighing one, two, three and four kgs. Under the facility, BPL families would get Rs 500 subsidy in case of 5 kg cylinder and Rs 1600 subsidy while procuring 14.2 kg LPG cylinder, he said.

The Minister also launched the sale of 5-kg cylinders under Free Trade LPG (FTL) scheme in Odisha state's capital to cater the LPG requirement for all sections of the society including the economically weaker section, student, migrant labourers who do not have proof of address due to their short stay in a particular place.

"Such customers can buy 5 Kg LPG cylinder at the market price. To begin with 5-kg LPG cylinders under FTL scheme could be available at nine retail outlets in Bhubaneswar, four retail outlets in Cuttack," Pradhan said.

Subsequently, the sale of cylinder under FTL scheme is proposed at various locations including Udyan Fresh outlets in Bhubaneswar, the Minister said. Stating that the scheme is aimed at increasing the usage of LPG, cleaner cooking fuel by households, Pradhan said this will enable customers to be more affordable and easily available to all sections of the society.