HP urges Centre not to impose ban on new LPG connections

Shimla, May 17 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh government has urged the Centre not to impose ban on release of new gas connections in the state, a government spokesman said.

The spokesman said the state government had urged in the wake of Centre's decision of banning new gas connections in the country, because this will increase pressure on the state's forests.

The state has per capita less consumption of domestic gas as seven kg per month than the other states, so Himachal should be kept out of the new imposition ambit, he added.

The state strictly banned the felling of trees to be used as fuel wood for cooking and to discourage the deforestation. This ban will result in degradation of forest cover, he added.

UNI XC AS PS SP US1554