Govt to take LPG distribution issue with Centre: Akhoon

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 26: Minister of CA&PD Qamar Ali Akhoon today said that there is no scarcity of LPG in Valley and large number of cylinders have been stocked at all the district headquarters so that people do not suffer for want of cooking gas.
The Minister was addressing a meeting of officers of CA&PD and representatives of various LPG agencies.
Director CA&PD, Mushtaq Ahmad, DGM LPG north zone, Alok Gupta, Senior Regional Manager J&K, Ashvani Gupta, Senior Sales Officer LPG, Haroon Hamid and other concerned were present in the meeting.
Mr. Akhoon said that Government has stored LPG gas at least for one month and in case of any road block or any emergency, about 2.5 lakh gas cylinders can be refilled at Pampore LPG bottling plant. However, the Minister added that the State Government has taken up issue regarding LPG supply with the Union Government so that people do not face any kind of problem in forth coming winter.
On the occasion, representatives of LPG agencies informed that talks are in advanced stage regarding the issue of consumer having LPG connections without documents and problem will be resolved soon. It was given out that consumers can transfer/update their gas connections by fulfilling requisite documents like KYC form, Identification proof.
It was also informed the people who want to get new connections without gas stove (chulla) can submit KYC form which is available free of cost at all distribution centers. The consumer has to enclose proof of identity, Rs. 1250 security deposit for cylinder without gas, Rs. 180 for safety pipe.
It was also told that other optional services can be availed by paying Rs. 150 for regulator, Rs. 200 for stove inspection and Rs. 35 for consumer card. It was also given out that rate of subsidized LPG gas cylinder is Rs. 412 and non-subsidized gas cylinder is Rs 837.50.
It was further informed that gas stove (chulla) is not mandatory for new connections and consumer can purchase that of his own choie.
He said nomadic people have already been issued ration cards and they can also avail the facility of new LPG gas connections. He said problem of supplying of LPG gas to the outside labourers will also be resolved soon. He further said that consumers who do not have ration cards will be entitled to bring identification proofs from public representatives including MPs, MLAs, Counselors, Sarpanchs, Panchs, village Numberdars and permanent resident gazetted officers of the State.
Mr. Akhoon said Center has launched Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitran (RGGLV) Scheme regarding new LPG distribution for increasing the network to make LPG available to rural/urban areas. The underlying concept of the scheme is to provide income generation opportunity to youth and empower women at the village level itself.