Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily will on Tuesday launch sale of 5 kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders at petrol pumps in the Capital.
The scheme, which has already been launched in various parts of the country except Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in view of the Assembly elections in those States, will now be formally launched in the Capital on Tuesday.
A 5 kg LPG cylinder will be sold at petrol pumps for Rs.543. Cooking gas till now was sold only by 13,088 LPG distributors or dealers of State-owned firms. Now, the convenient 5-kg cylinder will also be available at 50,392 petrol pumps across the country.
The scheme as a pilot was launched on October 5 last year at petrol pumps owned and operated by oil companies in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore. Company-owned and operated outlets make up for just 3 per cent of all petrol pumps in the country. With the scheme receiving encouraging response, it was extended to all petrol pumps across the country. The scheme is considered to be a boon for the migratory population such as students, IT professionals and BPO employees, as well as people with odd work hours. It offers them the flexibility to pick up cylinders and obtain refills at the time of their choice because petrol stations are open for longer hours than LPG dealers, sources said.
The first-time purchase of a 5 kg cylinder will cost Rs. 1,000 plus taxes, while a regulator will be available for Rs. 250 and taxes. The first time charge includes a security deposit for the cylinder. Subsequent refills will be sold at the prevailing market price. Traditionally, oil companies have sold LPG cylinders through their distributor networks. Customers are enrolled by collecting proof of identity and address and a deposit for the cylinder and regulator.
For some consumers, the need is in small parcels or arises at odd times of the day when distributors may be closed. The initiative allows sale of 5-kg cylinders at market price to customers who provide proof of identity.
