40 new gas agencies to be spread out in far flung areas of Himachal

As many as 40 new gas agencies would be spread out in the far flung areas of Himachal Pradesh under Rajiv Gandhi Yojana to make LPG gas readily available in the rural areas at lower price.

This was stated by Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Minister G.S. Bali while replying to a query raised by Maheshwar Singh during the question hour in the assembly today.

Maheshwar Singh said that in far-flung areas especially Malana, people are forced to bear the heavy cost of LPG who are spending Rs. 1200 for a single subsidies cylinders as they have to carry it manually after covering long distance by road.

Member also raised the matter in the house that people are lodging protest over increasing price of LPG in the urban areas but in such far flung areas how could people afford LPG cylinders on more than double price which should be made available to them at par with urban areas.

“If government could not provide LPG gas on normal rate, people could indulge in illicit activity like growing of narcotic substances.” Maheshwar Singh cautioned the government.

Minister accepting the contention of member said that 40 new gas agencies would be allotted to this hill state under Rajiv Gandhi Yojana by the UPA government.

So far, nine gas agencies are allotted to this state while more LPG agencies of Indian Oil and others will be allotted in the state which would be scattered in the far-flung areas in order to make it readily available to people  and they would not be forced to bear extra cost for it on transport.