Murli Deora appeals to stop misuse of domestic LPG cylinders

New Delhi, Feb 03 (UNI) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora has called upon the State Governments to join in the efforts of his Ministry to prevent diversion of heavily subsidized domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in a more effective manner.

Mr Deora expressed his views during a meeting with the Maharashtra State Government officials and Senior Oil Industry officers held last evening at Mumbai to review the LPG supply position including measures to arrest the diversions of highly subsidized domestic LPG cylinders in commercial and automobile use.

Earlier the Petroleum Minister met the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and discussed the problems of diversion and sought the help of the State Government to intensify the inspections of commercial establishments. He also appealed to the LPG Distributors Federation to co-operate in helping the Government in curbing the diversion of domestic LPG Cylinders in commercial applications.

During the meeting the Mr Deshmukh has assured all help in this regard to prevent the diversion of the subsidised LPG cylinders for any other purposes.

Mr Deora urged upon all consumers and LPG distributors to refrain from diversion of LPG domestic cylinders and play the role of responsible citizen in building up a strong nation.

Due to diversion of domestic LPG cylinders, the Government and Oil companies are forced to add to already heavy burden of subsidy.

For the year 2007-08, it is estimated that on all petroleum products the subsidy burden will be around Rs 80,000 crores. Hence it is imperative that this kind of diversion of domestic cylinders for non domestic use must be arrested at any cost.

He said stringent action will be taken against LPG Distributors and also against all those consumers found using domestic LPG cylinders for non-domestic applications. The offenders are punishable under Essential Commodities Act, said an official release issued here today.

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