Question : GAS AGENCIES AND RETAIL OUTLETS

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI R. P. N. SINGH)

(a): As on 01.07.2011, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) namely, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) are operating 14 regular LPG distributorships in Khargaon and Badwani Districts of Madhya Pradesh under Industry Marketing Plan (IMP).

Similary, OMCs are operating 3 Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran distributorships in Khargaon and Badwani Districts of Madhya Pradesh. The company-wise details are as under :-

Name of District	Name of OMC
IOC	BPCL	HPCL
Khargaon	5 (IMP)	2 (IMP)	Nil	1 (RGGLV)
Badwani	4 (IMP)	2 (RGGLV)	3 (IMP)

(b): Feasibility study for opening of LPG distributorships is carried out by OMCs from time to time in the entire country, including Madhya Pradesh and all feasible locations are included in the plan for setting up of regular distributorship or under the scheme Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran Yojana (RGGLVY).

(c) & (d): OMCs have reported that the feasibility study for opening of LPG distributorship in Khargaon District have been carried out, and one regular distributorship and 17 RGGLV distributorships at various locations have been found feasible.

Similarly, feasibility study in Badwani Districts has been carried out, and two regular distributorships and 8 RGGLV distributorships at various locations have been found feasible.

The OMCs have initiated the process of considering inclusion of these locations in the next Marketing Plan.

(e): In accordance with Vision 2015, it is proposed to raise the LPG population coverage from 50% to 75% in the country, including Madhya Pradesh, by releasing 5.5 crore new LPG connections between 2009 and 2015 especially in rural areas and uncovered areas.

In order to spread LPG distribution network in rural areas and uncovered areas, a new scheme namely, RGGLVY, for establishing small-size LPG distribution agencies, has been launched on 16.10.2009 and subsequently, advertisements inviting applications for distributors under the scheme have been released by OMCs in 26 States covering 3637 locations, including 97 locations in the State of Madhya Pradesh.