Govt manages to hit target on deposit-free LPG connections, but stumped by poor refill orders

Extending subsidies and a renewed push by oil marketing companies have helped the Centre achieve its target of disbursing 8 crore free cooking gas connections before the March 2020 deadline. But providing connections is just one part of the push towards cleaner and reliable cooking fuels.

“Recipients of these deposit-free LPG connections are hesitant to opt for a refill due to the upfront high costs of LPG refills. They are limited by their purchasing power and would use cooking gas sparingly,” Sailesh Jain, Executive President of the All- India LPG Distributors’ Federation, told BusinessLine.