To free LPG consumers from the hassle of repeatedly booking cylinders, waiting for delivery and expiry, the Central Government has intensified work on a nationwide and ambitious scheme. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has written a formal letter to the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories directing them to rapidly connect households with Piped Natural Gas (PNG) wherever the gas pipeline network has reached. To make this change smooth at the ground level, state governments have been asked to provide administrative support and deployment of nodal officers at the district level.
What are the main instructions in the letter sent to the states?
Letters sent by Petroleum Secretary to the states It has been clarified that rapid adoption of PNG is necessary for the energy transition of the country and for the convenience of consumers:
Nodal Officer at District Level: Senior officials of the Food & Civil Supplies Department will be appointed as nodal officers in every district, who will coordinate between the City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
PNG Coordinating Committee (PCC): PNG Coordination Committee will be formed in every geographical area, which will help in getting Right of Way and necessary permissions for laying pipelines in societies and localities.
Awareness and Grievance Redressal: Arrangements will be made to make consumers aware of the safety benefits of PNG and to resolve on-the-spot complaints arising during the transition process.
Why is the government focusing on PNG instead of cylinders?
India imports a major part of its total domestic LPG requirements from Gulf countries. There is a risk of supply chain disruption due to international geopolitical tensions and disruption in sea routes.
Expanding the scope of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) will save huge logistics cost of transporting cylinders through trucks and heavy vehicles, reduce carbon emissions and provide 24-hour uninterrupted and affordable gas to consumers. Along with this, the government has also approved the incentive scheme for allocation of cheap domestic gas (APM Gas) for CGD companies, due to which the recovery period for laying the connection will reduce rapidly.
Ban on dual connection and new rules
As per the LPG Control Orders and rules notified under the Essential Commodities Act, consumers living in residential colonies and housing societies where PNG lines have been commissioned will not be allowed to have dual connections (Simultaneous LPG and PNG).
After PNG line becomes available, consumers will have to adopt PNG connection and surrender their LPG cylinder after receiving due notice. If a consumer refuses to adopt PNG despite the available network, the delivery of LPG cylinder to that address may be stopped after the stipulated time limit.
Cylinder surrender and refund arrangements
The government has clarified that consumers will not suffer any financial loss during the transition. When the consumer surrenders his LPG connection, the oil companies will refund the security deposit amount deposited at the time of taking the connection directly to the consumer's account and issue a termination voucher.
Whereas in rural and remote areas where pipeline network has not yet reached, uninterrupted supply of conventional LPG cylinders will continue as before. This nationwide initiative is going to make the kitchens of crores of homes in the country more safe, economical and modern in the coming times.
