LPG distribution policy recast to focus on rural job creation

The petroleum ministry has undertaken an elaborate and comprehensive review of the existing LPG distributorship selection policies and finalised a new set of guidelines with the objective of strengthening LPG supply chain, especially in the rural areas and creating job opportunities through supply chain system.

Union minister of state (independent charge) for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan today unveiled the guidelines for selection of LPG distributorships.

Under the new policy, there will be four broad types of distributorships with varying refill ceiling limits - Sheheri, Rurban, Gramin and Durgam Vitrak.

Eligibility norms for age, education, fund requirement and ownership of land for godown and showroom have been relaxed to make the selection process more participative.

The new policy introduces 33 per cent reservation for women across all categories to encourage women entrepreneurship. There will also be a 3 per cent reservation for Divyang (disabled) candidates.

As a part of the government's Digital India campaign, online filing, processing and selection has been introduced for Sheheri distributorships on a pilot basis.

To take care of interest of defence personnel and their dependents, inter-se priority in selection under government personnel category has been introduced.

Monetary norms for security deposit have been relaxed for the selected candidates belonging to SC/ST and OBCs.

In order to address the issue of last mile reach of LPG in difficult areas, LPG Suvidha Kendra facility will be introduced for improving delivery of services.

LPG distributorships would be set up in active collaboration with the state government agencies to strengthen the supply chain in Durgam areas.

The government expects the unified guidelines to pave the way for a more broad-based, participative and transparent system of selection of distributors across the country.

In the current year, state-run oil marketing companies will start the process for selection of new distributors in 10,000 new locations. Setting up of these new distributorships will give a tremendous boost to the rural employment opportunities, a petroleum ministry release stated.