Bangalore: Mobile consumers of 5 big cities to get Free Trade LPG cylinders

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 24: The hip-hop mobile consumers of big cities, who are keen on getting LPG cylinders for their cooking requirements in the cities of their temporary residence but without going through the hassles of having permanent LPG connections, will now be able to get their LPG cylinders as per their convenience of obtaining smaller quantities of LPG.

This flexible facility of getting LPG cylinders in smaller quantities has now been possible with Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dr M Veerappa Moily approving the proposal for Free Trade LPG(FTL) Scheme for selling 5 kg LPG cylinders through Company Owned Retail Outlets (COCO) of public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

The proposal, approved by Dr Moily, would be available on a pilot basis in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore.

Under the scheme, 5 kg LPG cylinders with/without Domestic Pressure Regulators (DPR) will be available at COCO retail outlets.

The OMCs have COCO retail outlets which are accessible to all and are open for longer hours.

The LPG sold under the scheme will be called Free Trade LPG (FTL).

At the time of first sale, cost of equipment (DPR plus cylinder), cost of product at prevailing Non-domestic 5kg cylinders price and administrative charges will be payable.

However, at the time of subsequent refill only the cost of product will be payable, says an official press release.

The prospective customer at the time of first sale would be required to give a copy of Voter Identity Card, Driving license, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card, Bank Pass book, Employees ID, Passport, Student ID or any other such document that can serve as a proof of identity.

The COCO RO would keep a Demo Kit of an ideal Kitchen and explain the cylinder connection/disconnection procedure at the time of first sale.

However, it would be customer’s responsibility to use the equipment as per the safety instructions.

But the company would not be liable for any losses/damages arising in case of accident during transit or usage.

OMCs will offer, on request, an insurance policy which will provide cover for loss of life and property in the event of an LPG accident occurring at the customer’s premises, the press release said.

But in transit insurance cover will not be available.

On the request of the customer, the COCO RO through the supplying distributor shall also provide the installation of equipment at customer’s premises and will also provide after sales services on chargeable basis.

The scheme is a step towards beginning of free trade of LPG and would make LPG available for wider use especially for those citizens who are always on the move due to their professional needs.

All guidelines related to safety for storage, handling and dispensing of LPG at COCO Retail Outlets, as stipulated by OISD and PESO shall be complied with strictly by OMCs while implementing the scheme, the press release said.