25.6 Lakh new LPG connections Released during April-October 2008

The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora today told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have not stopped release of new LPG connections. New LPG connections are made available as soon as possible and in any case, within a period of sixty days. At present, new LPG connections are available for genuine domestic customers and as on 01.11.2008, there are 1036.9 lakh LPG customers in the country. OMCs have reported that they have released 25.6 lakh new LPG connections in the country during the period April-October, 2008.

Replying to another query, Shri Deora said that Government had decided to issue bonds worth Rs. 35,289.50 crore to OMCs in respect of expected losses/under-realization for marketing sensitive petroleum products for the financial year 2007-08.

Further, Government decided to issue bonds worth Rs. 44,967 crore to OMCs in respect of under-realisation on marketing sensitive petroleum products for the first half of the year 2008-09. Out of the total outstanding Bonds for Rs. 59,923.17 crore (including Bonds of Rs. 14,956.17 crore for the 4th quarter of 2007-08), Bonds for Rs. 22,000 crore were issued to the OMCs in November, 2008.

In addition to above, the Minister added that Government provides a fixed rate of subsidy from the Budget on domestic LPG and PDS kerosene. A provision for Rs. 2700 crore towards this subsidy has been made in the Budget for 2008-09.

Source : Press Information Bureau

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