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| Petroleum Minister reviews marketing, distribution in hilly states | | Azad stresses need for augmentation of storage facility in J&K | |
Srinagar, June 18
The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Murli Dearo has assured the three hill States of Jammu and Kashmir, Utaranchal and Himachal Pradesh that there needs and requirements with respect to the energy sector will be given due priority to ensure that the development of these States is not impaired.
Addressing the regional meeting of the three States here today the Minister appreciated the difficulties being faced by these States due to difficult terrain and other locational disadvantages and directed the concerned officials to come out with solution to these problems. J&K Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Veer Badra Singh and Uttarankhand Chief Secretary besides senior officials of all the three States and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas participated in the meeting to review the marketing and distribution of petroleum products in these States. The meeting is part of series of meetings held by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas to be more responsive to the needs and requirements of the States. During deliberations, J&K Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad stressed the need for augmenting storage facility of petroleum products particularly in far flung areas of the States. He suggested that such facility besides Srinagar and Jammu should be established at Kupwara in Kashmir Valley and at Doda and Rajouri in Jammu Division and also in Padam in Zanskar area of Leh district.
The States of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarankhand are hilly regions where the logistics of reaching essential petroleum products continues to be a major challenge. Despite this, the public-sector Oil Marketing Companies viz. IOC, BPC and HPC- under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas have set up an extensive infrastructure in these States for the marketing and distribution of petroleum products. There are 266 retail outlets (ROs) in Himachal Pradesh, 333 in J&K and 352 in Uttarakhand. Similarly, there are 120 LPG distributorships in Himachal Pradesh, 154 in J&K and 169 in Uttarakhand. Oil marketing Companies have plans to setup 25 more ROs and 3 more LPG distributorships in Himachal Pradesh, 49 ROs and 24 distributorships in J&K and 22 ROs and 3 distributorships in Uttaranchal.
A major challenge for the people living in hilly regions, is to preserve the delicate ecological balance and protect the environment and rich forests in the area. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas had introduced 5 kg LPG cylinders several years ago keeping the hilly regions in mind. Today, a large number of customers are using 5 kg cylinders, thereby reducing their dependence on firewood. In a major initiative the public sector Oil marketing companies also gave priority to customers in hilly areas for releasing LPG connections. Such initiatives have lead to a reduction in deforestation to a very large extent. The LPG cover in the three Hill States of Jammu & Kashmir is 85%, Uttarandhal 90% and in Himachal Pradesh is 07% of the total population, which is more than double the national average of 45%.
The annual Advanced Winter Stocking exercise to this region, carried out by Indian Oil for maintaining a strategic level of storage for the defence services and for meeting the consumers’ needs in the harsh winter season, is a remarkable endeavor. Oil companies have proposed further investments in these States to ensure that not only the current needs but also future needs are fully met.
Today’s meeting with the Chief Ministers and the State governments reviewed the marketing and distribution plans of the oil companies and emphasized the need for greater cooperation with the State Governments to control and eliminate the menaces of adulteration and diversion of subsidized kerosene and domestic LPG. Chief Minister of J&K requested in the meeting that the policies of the public sector oil companies should keep the geographical, climatic and distance considerations of the State. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh requested that keeping in view the massive developmental activity in the state, the requirement of Bitumen had increased four-fold, and special quota should be given to the State.
Later talking to media persons, the Minister said that there is no plan right now to increase price of petrol or petroleum products. In reply to a query about Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline, the Minister said that the prestigious project is on and will be completed but no time frame can be given for its completion. On introduction of CNG in Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister said that for this purpose supply of natural gas is to be assured and steps will be taken to ensure the same within two years. However, for the time being auto LPG will be introduced in a big way.
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