(a) whether there is a freeze on new domestic double LPG connections;
(b) if so, the reasons for imposing the freeze ;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to liquidate the waiting list for connections;
(d) the time by which the companies will be able to put an end to the freeze completely; and
(e) the total number of consumers in the waiting list for second cylinders?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) to (e) : Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have not stopped
release of new LPG connections. New LPG connections are made available as
soon as possible and in any case, within a period of sixty days. At present, new
LPG connections are available for genuine domestic customers and as on
01.01.2009, there are 1050 lakh LPG customers in the country.
OMCs have reported that they have released 36.80 lakh new LPG
connections and 7.50 lakh Double Bottle Connection (DBC) in the country during
the period April-December, 2008.
However, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) has reported waiting list of
1,31,471 for release of new LPG connections and 13,89,319 for DBC in certain
States in the country. The waiting list for new connections is expected to be cleared
by the end of March, 2009 and for DBCs in 2009-10. Bharat Petroleum
Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
have reported nil waiting list for both new connections and DBCs.