Measures taken to check LPG black-market, says K. Shyam

IMPHAL | Aug 24

Consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister, Karam Shyam today said measures have been taken up, to check the sale of LPG cylinders in the black market. He was speaking as the chief guest during the LPG Safety Clinic cum Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Awareness programme.

Shyam said a survey has been completed and a meeting with the officials of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will be held to check the sale of LPG cylinders in the grey market. He also said a meeting with the LPG distributors will be held, to find out beneficiaries having multiple LPG connections.

LPG cylinders from consumers having multiple connections are allegedly sold in the black market, he added.

Expressing concern over the low numbers of beneficiaries availing the benefits of the PMUY scheme, the minister said more awareness programmes are needed for the target beneficiaries.

Since the launch of the PMUY Scheme in the State on June 5, the total numbers of beneficiaries who have installed LPG connections are just 8,572 (till August 21, 2017) and 13,119 application cleared (till August 21, 2017).

Further the minister urged distributors, IOC officials, and stakeholders for more active participation for enrolling beneficiaries so that the scheme can reach the targeted 2.43 lakh beneficiaries eligible for the scheme.

Speaking as the guest of honour, Stephen Chinkhanson Guite, Manager- LPG Sales, Imphal II urged the consumers to follow the guideline of one LPG connection per house to curb the shortage of LPG cylinders.

Urging the distributors to upgrade their services to include home delivery, SMS services among others, Stephen Chinkhanson Guite urged the distributors to identify women beneficiaries within their trading area to make the scheme successful.

As part of the function, K. Shyam gave LPG connection to 88 women beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and a safety demonstration was held for the LPG consumers. Shri Wairokpam Gonendro Singh, Advisor- AMUCO, Manipur attended the function as the President, which was organised by M/s Mahalakshmi Indane Gas.