Question : LPG AGENCIES IN NAGALAND

(a) whether the Government are planning to open more and more LPG agencies in the interior areas of Nagaland to check illegal cutting of forests and maintain the ecological balance ;

(b) if not, the reasons therefor ;

(c) if so, the steps likely to be taken in this regard particularly setting up of divisional office in Nagaland to cater the demand of northern region of Nagaland which is presently being looked after from Jorhat, Assam ; and

(d) the time by which this office is likely to open and made functional ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS ( SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN )

(a) & (b) : At present Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is operating 22 LPG distributorships spread across all districts of Nagaland State to meet the requirement of consumers. Further plans for LPG agencies in the State would depend upon commercial viability of locations.

(c) & (d) : At present, supplies of LPG to Central and South Nagaland are controlled from Dimapur and to North Nagaland from Jorhat, Assam. The present arrangement is operationally and commercially convenient to the company.