(a) whether the Government has set any target for supply of PNG to all households in the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
(b) whether the Government has formulated any special scheme for supply of gas through pipeline in economically backward areas particularly in Bundelkhand and hilly areas and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b): The Government has envisaged to provide PNG connections to 1 crore households by 2019. Number of State/UT-wise PNG consumers as on 1st May, 2017 is at Annexure-I.
The Government has accorded priority in allocation of domestic gas for supply to households in the form of Piped Natural Gas [(PNG(D)] and transport segment in the form of Compressed Natural Gas [(CNG (T)] across the country and is meeting 100% gas requirement of PNG (Domestic) and CNG (Transport) segment of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks across the country through domestically produced gas.
The Government had set up the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in the year 2007 under the PNGRB Act, 2006. Under the Act, PNGRB grants authorization to the entities for developing a CGD network and natural gas pipeline infrastructure through a bidding process. M/s Central UP Gas Limited (CUGL) has been authorized to supply gas through pipeline in Jhansi, Kanpur and Bareilly Geographical Areas. The Geographical Areas (GAs) are included in bidding rounds in a phased manner depending on the natural gas pipeline connectivity/natural gas availability and feasibility for grant of authorization to develop CGD networks in the country.