Bihar hails Centre's move on subsidised LPG connection for BPL

PATNA: Bihar government today hailed the Centre's decision to provide LPG connection to BPL families at subsidised rate of Rs 800, even as it demanded to increase the number of cooking gas outlets in the state.

Pradhan had yesterday announced in Patna that BPL families will be get LPG connection for Rs 800 as against market rate of Rs 2,400 and said the Centre had taken a decision in this regard on December 25.

"We welcome Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's announcement to provide LPG connection to the BPL families at subsidised rate of Rs 800," Food and Consumer Protection Minister Shyam Rajak said.

The decision to provide LPG connection to the BPL families at subsidised rate is in conformity with the state government's demand, he said, adding the poor families will take benefit from the scheme.

Rajak also proposed to the Petroleum Ministry to increase LPG outlets in Bihar in view of ever growing number of consumers. There were only 843 LPG distributors of all three nationalised companies - IOC, BP and HP - put together to cater to 58 lakh consumers.

The Petroleum Minister should look into the matter of increasing the number of cooking gas outlets in Bihar for the benefit of consumers who have to wait for up to three weeks for delivery of LPG cylinders or fetch one from godowns located in far off places, he said.

Raising the number of LPG distributors in Bihar will help the state government address law and order problems arising frequently with consumers taking to streets to agitate against delay in supply of gas cylinders, Rajak said.