PNGRB to launch LPG portability soon

REVAMPING SERVICES

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Unhappy with your LPG provider? Relief may be around the corner. Ina move similar to mobile number portability, cooking gas consumers will soon be allowed to change their supplier without altering their existing connection, offering more choice and improved service.

Oil regulator The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has invited stakeholder and consumer comments on the LPG Interoperability Framework.

PNGRB, in the notice inviting comments, stated that in situations where a local distributor faces operational constraints, consumers often have limited alternatives, leading to hardship.

“There may be other reasons, too, and the consumer needs to have the freedom of choice on the LPG company/dealer, especially when the cylinder price is the same," it said.

The then UPA government had, in October 2013, launched pilot Portability of LPG connections in 24 districts, covering 13 states, and extended it pan-India in January 2014, covering 480 districts.