The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dr. M. Veerappa Moily informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that  as on 30.09.2012, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), namely, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have released 75.1 Lakh LPG connections to BPL families under various State Government sponsored schemes. The state & company-wise details are at Annexure.

            In addition, the Minister added, a scheme for providing one time grant to BPL families in the rural areas for release of new domestic LPG connection under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitaran Yojana (RGGLVY) is in operation. As per the scheme, the security deposit for the domestic LPG cylinder and pressure regulator is paid from the fund created for the purpose by contributions from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund of ONGC, OIL, GAIL, BPCL, HPCL and IOC. In addition, some of the State Governments have implemented schemes to provide free LPG connections to BPL families. So far 0.92 lakh LPG connections have been given to BPL families under the CSR fund scheme of OMCs in the rural areas. As on 1.10.2012, the expenditure incurred for release of new connection under the scheme from CSR Fund in Rs 12.93 crore, the Minister State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Smt P. Laksmi said while replying to another question

              The “Kerosene Free Dilli” scheme of the Delhi Government has also been supported partly by the CSR funds of the OMCs and they have released 1150 number of LPG connection to BPL families under ‘Kerosene Free Dilli’.

            Replying to the question a proposal for providing one time financial assistance to BPL families for acquiring new LPG connection is under consideration.

Annexure

BPL CUSTOMERS UNDER VARIOUS STATE GOVT. SCHEMES

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RCJ/RKS