Question : LPG CONNECTION TO BPL -POOR FAMILIES

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to provide subsidized / free gas connection to rural poor/ Below Poverty Line (BPL) families/ Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and minority community across the country if so, the number of such connections provided during the last three years along with funds provided/utilised for the purpose, State/UT-wise;

(b) the total number of LPG distributorships commissioned and connections provided under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran Yojana (RGGLVY) in the country along with the funds allocated/utilised under the scheme during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the number of proposals received from various States particularly from Telangana for allotment of distributorships/ connections under the RGGLVY during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government has launched the expanded Corporate Social Responsibility scheme to cover BPL families living in urban areas for getting LPG connection and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the number of cases of corruption/ irregularities including allotment of distributorship under RGGLVY and distribution of LPG cylinders to the above categories in rural areas have come to the notice of the Government and the followup action taken by the Government in this regard, State/UT-wise?

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

(a) to (d) A scheme for providing one time grant to BPL families in the rural areas for release of new LPG connection from CSR fund through Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaraks is in operation in the country. As per the scheme, the security deposit for one cylinder and cost of Pressure Regulator is paid from the fund created for this purpose. Further, the scheme was extended to Regular LPG distributorships also from January, 2015 till March, 2015 on a pilot basis.

The number of RGGLVs commissioned, LPG connection released through RGGLVs, BPL connections released through RGGLVs and regular distributorships, respectively and fund utilized so far for release of BPL connections from CSR fund during the last three years (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15) is given in Annexure-I

Appointment of regular distributorships and RGGLVs is a continuous process and includes inputs received from various quarters. OMCs then conduct feasibility study and all the locations found economically viable are rostered and advertised on industry basis.

(e) State/UT-wise total number cases of corruption/irregularities reported in allotment of LPG distributorships including RGGLVs across the country by OMCs during the last three years (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 ) and Apr. 2014 Feb. 2015 is given in Annexure-II. State/UT- wise number of established cases of irregularities by LPG distributors during the three years (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 ) and Apr. 2014 Feb. 2015 is given in Annexure-III. In all established cases action is taken by OMCs as per provisions of Marketing Discipline Guidelines/Distributorship Agreement.