Orissa asks oil companies to open more LPG outlets

The Orissa government has asked oil companies to open more LPG outlets by appointing agents in all the 314 blocks of the state, official sources said.

The government's direction to the oil companies was issued yesterday by Food and Civil Supplies minister S P Nayak at a meeting with oil compaines attended by representatives of IOC, HPCL and BPCL.

While there were 15,43,945 LPG consumers in the state, only 7,99,618 gas cylinders were available in the market as oil companies failed to distribute LPG in rural areas, the sources said.

"We have asked the oil companies to give gas agency license to Orissa State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) for distribution of LPG cylinders in rural areas where there is no agency," said a senior official of the food and civil supplies department.

IOC had highest number 79 dealers across the state, followed by HPCL's 70 and BPCL's 36.

Backward districts like Malkangiri, Nawapara, Kandhamal, Deogarh and Boudh had one distributor each causing difficulty to the people in getting LPG cyclinders.

The state government also drew the attention of the oil companies on allegations relating to supply of lesser quantity of gas to consumers.