Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 1: Giving yet another major jolt to the people after its decision to provide only six subsidized LPG cylinders at the rate of Rs 408.50, the Government today issued the new revised rate of non-subsidized cylinder (14 kg) at Rs 920.50 and not around Rs 750 as earlier projected.
Surprisingly, influenced by the Oil Companies, the Government within a short span of 12 days, notified the rates of the LPG cylinders twice. According to new notification issued in this regard by the Indian Oil Corporation Limited and approved by State Government here, the people would get sixth onward cylinder, for Rs 920.50 while the rate of commercial cylinder weighing 19 kg has been fixed at Rs 1732.
Earlier, the commercial gas cylinder was being provided at the rate of Rs 1080 and it was fixed as Rs 1531 on September 18. The companies will now charge Rs 1201 for 14 kg LPG cylinder, from Defence forces, supplies under Mid Day Meals scheme/ Anganwadis of ICDS, Shrine Boards, religious places (temples/ Gurdwaras/ mosques etc) functions. The rate of subsidized cylinders will remain unchanged.
The decision to curtail the limit of subsidized LPG cylinder to six per family in the country was taken on September 14, 2012. The Government through media declared that non-subsidized cylinder would cost around Rs 750 or 760. The new rates notified by the Oil Companies and subsequently approved by Government on September 18, mentioned the rate of non-subsidized gas cylinder as Rs 796.50 and the rate of cylinders to be supplied to Defence forces/ religious places, under Mid Day Meals scheme etc as Rs 1051.50. The Defence forces and the religious organizations were being charged Rs 819.50 per cylinder and the Commercial cylinder at the rate of Rs 1080 before September 14, 2012. This surprising move of the Government by issuing second revised list with in just twelve days, giving hike of Rs 124 per cylinder has sent shock waves across the State.
The State Government has already taken decision to provide only three subsidized LPG gas cylinders to the consumers in J&K up to March 2013. There was a strong public reaction over the issue. This decision was taken by the State Government after a meeting with the representatives from the Oil and Gas companies including Indian Oil Corporation, HP Gas and others. It was decided in the meeting that any requirement of the consumer in excess of this quantity shall be supplied on the non-subsidized price, which may be around Rs 750-760 per cylinder.
Meanwhile, official sources said that around 2 lakh gas connections of the consumers have been blocked by the Oil & Gas Companies so far in the State. It said the process was still going on. Out of the total, nearly 1.50 lakh connections blocked so far belonged to Jammu division.
While it has been indicated to provide nine LPG cylinders on the subsidized rates to the consumers in the Congress ruled/ supported states, no clear decision has yet been taken for J&K State. The State LPG consumers have been left to suffer as the LPG companies have suspended home delivery on their own to the consumers on the plea of re-verification, as a result, long queues are seen outside LPG outlets across the State.
Director CAPD Jammu, Parvez Malik, when contacted confirmed that the new revised rate list has been issued and the people will get non-subsidized cylinder (14 kg) not for Rs 796 but for Rs 920.50. He said the new revised rates were issued today by the Oil Companies and these will be effected throughout the country. He also said that only three cylinders will be provided on subsidized rates to the people during this financial year ending March 2013.
Mr Malik further claimed that State level Coordinator of Indian Oil Corporation, R K Shahab has disclosed that as per rates of petroleum products in the international market, the rates of non-subsidized gas cylinders will also go on fluctuating from time to time. They may go down or up as per the international market conditions.
The Director further said that the home delivery of the consumers has also been suspended temporarily as all the LPG consumers are required to get their LPG connections validated by furnishing Know Your Customer (KYC) form, duly filled-in with latest identity and address/ residence proof. Many of them have started getting home delivery. He said fresh directions have been issued to the Gas Companies to ensure home delivery as well so that people do not suffer.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel