Here's how new LPG schemes may benefit you

With the target of moving more people to the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) the Oil Ministry is coming up with new schemes. The government has targeted to add 10 crore new LPG connections by December 2018 with the new schemes. Currently there are existing 16.5 crore LPG connections.

In 2016, the ministry aims to appoint 10,000 new LPG distributors with all the members of Parliament asked to suggest potential locations in their constituencies where the distribution needs to be strengthened.

LPG connection on EMIs

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said oil marketing companies are mulling to sell new cooking gas on an EMI basis, just like for other consumer durables.

"We want to sell new LPG connections which cost up to Rs 3,400 on an EMI basis. The amount can be spread over 24 instalments and the OMCs are speaking to banks on this," Pradhan said.

He said till now, consumer durable items have been sold using the EMI (earnest monthly instalment) facility and making such a facility available will incentivise more people to switch over to the cleaner liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The scheme is intended to benefit those who are not covered under the 50 per cent rebate for people below poverty line.

Order LPG refills while on the move

Plans are underway to install touch screen devices at prominent locations like airports, railway stations etc where consumers can book for their LPG refills.

Online payment of LPG cylinders

This facility was launched on Sunday. Through the facility people can book the cylinder around the clock and it can be delivered in their absence as well because the payment is already done, Pradhan said.

Earlier, only online booking facility was available for customers of oil marketing companies (OMCs) namely Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum and consumers were required to pay cash to vendor on delivery of cylinders.

"PSU OMCs have now introduced the online payment facility for consumers at the time of booking their LPG refill cylinder so that they need not worry about leaving cash with their family members or attendants while taking delivery of the cylinder," an official statement said.

This facility would bring great relief to the working couple as well as to senior citizens as they can make the payment online without bothering to keep adequate cash at home, it added.

The payment facility can be availed at www.mylpg.in which can be accessed in 13 Indian languages.

The OMCs have already implemented the refill booking facilities on IVRS, Web and SMS, portability of Gas connection, direct benefit transfer of subsidy for LPG to the bank account of consumers.