Question : LPG DISTRIBUTORS RETAILERS IN J K

(a) whether there is a shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) distributors/retailers in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K);

(b) if so, the details thereof including the number of LPG distributors/retailers in various States of the country along with dealer-consumer ratio, State/UT-wise particularly in J&K;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to increase the number of LPG distributors/ retailers in J&K to remove the mismatch of dealer-consumer ratio as compared to other States and to ensure smooth delivery of LPG cylinders to the consumers ?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRl DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) &(b) : Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have reported that there is no shortage of LPG distributors/ retailers in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The State/UT-wise number of total LPG distributors on record, customers and their ratio in the country including in the State of Jammu and Kashmir as on 01.02.2015 is at Annexure I.

(c) : Appointment of distributors is a continuous process and the locations for setting up LPG distributorships are identified based on available refill sale potential, that can be sustained economically. In terms of Consumer to Distributor ratio. J&K at 10,354 consumer/distributor is better placed than national average of consumer/distributor.

As on 01.02.2015. OMCs are having a total of 11272 Regular distributors and 4178 distributors under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran Yojana (RGGLVY), out of which 167 Regular & 36 RGGLVs are functioning in the State of J&K.

Further, OMCs have released advertisement in J&K for appointment of 56 Regular and 106 RGGLVs.

Several steps have also been taken by OMCs to improve customer services. This includes a comprehensive LPG service portal www.MvLPG.in. where all LPG services can be obtained from the comfort of the home without visiting the distributorship. Mobile applications have also been developed for various LPG services. In an effort to enhance competition, the distributors are being rated from 1 star to 5 star based on their delivery performance. The customers are also being given the option of portability under which they can now change their distributor/marketing company in case they so desire.