(a) whether the Government of Himachal Pradesh had urged for opening of 64 new LPG agencies in the State ;
(b) if so, whether a meeting of officers of his Ministry and the State Government officials was held on August 11, 1999 in the State Capital Shimla in which decision was taken for immediate opening of 11 LPG agencies in the State and installation of LPG bottling plant at Damtal in Kangra district ; and
(c) if so, the progress made so far in this direction ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS ( SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR )
(a) : Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c ) : Out of 64 (Sixty Four) locations proposed by the Government of Himachal Pradesh for setting up of LPG distributorships, 13 (Thirteen) locations have been found as viable locations by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies. As on 1.2.2001, Oil Marketing Companies have issued LOI for 10 (Ten) locations under Operation Vijay Special Scheme (OVSS) and 3 (Three) locations have been included in the Marketing Plan for the setting up of LPG distributorships. However, at 1 (One) location, allottee under OVSS has not accepted the LOI.
Setting up of a LPG capacity Bottling Plant at Damtal by Indian Oil Corporation Limited under 9th Plan was earlier conceived. However, due to logistic consideration and non-availability of suitable land, the same has now been decided to be set up at Una.