Consumers fear losing LP gas subsidy
A view of CNG bunk at Lalacheruvu near Rajahmundry.(Photo: DC)
Kakinada: Piped Natural Gas (PNG) has not yet caught the imagination of the people in Kakinada and Vijayawada. People are apprehensive of the loss of subsidy, which is proving to be a great hindrance in marketing PNG by Bhagyanagar Gas Limited (BGL).
BGL has been awarded the contract to supply piped gas in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Kakinada. The company started its operations of PNG in Vijayawada and Kakinada in the year 2012 with a bang. However, it is not able to make much he-adway. The consumers are also not coming forward to take PNG with a fear of losing their subsidy on LPG.
The BGL created the necessary infrastructure for providing piped natural gas for households in the port town. It has been in the market for the past two years, but, not as many takers as expected. It is said that certain apprehensions in the public are responsible for the poor pace of progress made by the company.
Many consumers are apprehensive that PNG would be much costlier than LPG cylinders, as there is no subsidy on PNG. “If we take PNG connection, we will lose subsidy on LPG. We cannot afford domestic gas in totality,” said N. Varalakshmi, a teacher in a school, living in an apartment. But, experience shows that PNG is cheaper than LPG Even without subsidy. “For a family of a four, it will cost only Rs 500 for two months. However, the LPG consumer should bear Rs 430 excluding charges per month. The PNG is economy than LPG,” said the eminent psychologist Dr.A.P.J. Vinu.
There are also apprehensions among the people of explosions and other accidents, if they take PNG and th-ey felt that it is not sa-fer than LPG.
( Source : dc )
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