Question : 5 Kg LPG Cylinders

(a) whether the Government proposes to sell 2-5 kg LPG cylinders to the various households across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the eligibility criteria fixed by the Government and the steps taken to popularise the use of such cylinders in the country along with the fund allocated for the purpose and the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented, State/ UT/OMC-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to discontinue LPG subsidy for rich/higher income bracket people and if so, the details thereof along with the criteria fixed/study conducted by the Government to determine the subsidy formula for the purpose; and
(d) whether the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) proposes to launch/ issue smart cards for booking a cylinder and go cashless across the country and if so, the details thereof along with criteria fixed to make online payment of LPG cylinders?
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MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b) Government has allowed the sale of 5 Kg LPG cylinders with / without Domestic Pressure Regulator (DPR) through Retail Outlets of Public Sector Oil
Marketing companies (OMCs) which are accessible to all and are open for longer hours. Subsequently, sale of 5 Kg Free Trade LPG(FTL) cylinder has been extended to LPG distributorship points and Kirana /General stores etc also for the convenience of the target consumers.
In order to popularise 5 Kg. LPG cylinders, OMCs have put banners at showrooms and public places to increase awareness about availability of 5 Kg LPG cylinders in the markets. (c) Government has decided to rationalize the subsidy outgo by excluding such LPG consumers from the purview of subsidy, whose or whose spouse have taxable income of ? 10 lakh and above during the previous financial year computed as per the Income Tax Act, 1961 w.e.f. 1.1.2016.
(d) OMCs have reported that online facility of refill booking with online payments is in operation. Smart Card Delivery Mechanism has been launched on pilot basis by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. through which customer can pay the cost of LPG refill through Debit Card/Credit Card/Wallet. However, this card cannot be used for booking of LPG refill.
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