Consumers in the twin cities may permanently lose their LPG cylinder connections even before piped gas becomes operational in the city.
Oil companies are keen to take away LPG connections within six months for those consumers who are connected to the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network. The companies are backed by an order from the ministry of petroleum and natural gas that puts the responsibility of withdrawing the LPG connection of PNG consumers on the gas distribution companies, in this case, Bhagyanagar Gas Limited.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has taken serious note of the ministry’s directions. The Board chairman, Mr L. Mansingh, recently wrote a letter to the Union minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, expressing concern that the threat of withdrawing LPG connections would seriously hamper the objective of encouraging PNG connections.
The regulator came out with an alternative proposal: keep the cylinder connection in suspended animation under ‘safe custody’. Should the piped gas fail, LPG will be supplied to the customers.
Another important factor is that a majority of customers will be tenants who would want to retain their LPG connections as they may not find PNG in new areas to which they may move.
Oil companies are keen to take away LPG connections within six months for those consumers who are connected to the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network. The companies are backed by an order from the ministry of petroleum and natural gas that puts the responsibility of withdrawing the LPG connection of PNG consumers on the gas distribution companies, in this case, Bhagyanagar Gas Limited.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has taken serious note of the ministry’s directions. The Board chairman, Mr L. Mansingh, recently wrote a letter to the Union minister, Mr S. Jaipal Reddy, expressing concern that the threat of withdrawing LPG connections would seriously hamper the objective of encouraging PNG connections.
The regulator came out with an alternative proposal: keep the cylinder connection in suspended animation under ‘safe custody’. Should the piped gas fail, LPG will be supplied to the customers.
Another important factor is that a majority of customers will be tenants who would want to retain their LPG connections as they may not find PNG in new areas to which they may move.
