(a) whether it is a fact that State owned Oil Companies and IOC have demanded the Government to increase the security deposit for Gas Cylinders;
(b) if so, the details of action taken by the Government on their demand;
(c) whether the said oil companies have withheld the issue of new LPG connection till their said demand is not accepted by the Government; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) & (b): The PSU oil marketing companies (OMCs) have approached the Government for increase in security deposit for LPG cylinders due to hike in procurement cost of cylinders in view of increase in steel prices. The matter is under consideration of the Government.
(c) & (d): OMCs have registered waiting lists of LPG customers in some States The Government have advised OMCs to liquidate the waiting list, as on 1-8-2004, within a period of one month.