(a) whether the Government has received any requests for opening new LPG gas agencies in
Jharkhand district-wise particularly in districts of Palamu and Gadhwa;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to meet the shortage of LPG; and
(d) if so, the time by which the shortage is likely to be met?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) & (b): Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reported that location
Daltonganj in Palamu District has already been rostered under Industry Marketing Plan
2004-07 for opening of an independent LPG distributorship which has since been advertised
on 18.10.2007. However, location Gadhwa in the State of Jharkhand does not appear in the
Industry Marketing Plan 2004-07 as the location was found not to be economically viable
for opening/setting up of an independent LPG distributorship at this juncture.
OMCs have also finalized a common industry marketing plan covering 13 locations in
the State of Jharkhand for setting up of LPG distributorships.
(c) & (d):There is no overall shortage of LPG in the country, including in the State of
Jharkhand, and LPG supplies to distributors are being made by the Public Sector Oil
Marketing Companies (OMCs) through indigenous production and imports in accordance with
the requirement of customers registered with the LPG distributors. However, OMCs had
reported occasional backlog in certain States/Union Territories including the State of
Jharkhand due to natural calamities like floods, road breaches, collapse of bridge and
stoppage of work by various sections of the employees, strike by transporters and contract
labourers, hartals etc. The Government has advised OMCs to liquidate the backlog in
the States/UTs by operating the bottling plants on holidays, extended hours of working
and also by ensuring adequate supply of cylinders.