Gas to come to the rescue of forest cover by replacing firewood
LPG scheme set for launch in State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 17 2011: The Rajiv Gandhi Grameen LPG Bitrak Yojana taken up by the Government of India with a view to promote use of LPG in remote areas of the country is all set for launch in Manipur.

According to information received from IOC, process to launch the scheme in Manipur is almost complete.

With the Centre issuing strong instructions to launch the scheme as early as possible, the scheme would be launched in the State by January next year at the latest.

The process of selecting LPG distributors for the scheme would be finished by August 10 .

Draw of lots for selecting the LPG distributors would be held at Hotel Classic on August 10.After verifying whether the plots specified by LPG distributors have land disputes or not, those who do not have land disputes will be selected as permanent distributors.

Among the North Eastern States, draw of lots for selection of LPG distributors has been done for Mizoram.

Consumoers line up for their filled LPG-File photo

The selected distributors would be allocated at Wangoi and Patsoi in Imphal West, Kwakta, in Bishnupur district, Sugnu in Thoubal district, Henglep, Thanlon, and Singhat in Churachandpur district, Chakpikarong and Machi in Chandel district, Tousem and Tamei in Tamenglong district, Saikul, Saitu, Purul, and Paomata in Senapati district, Chingai, Kasom Khullen, Phungyar, Kamjong and Shangshak in Ukhrul district.

The sub-dealers will provide LPG facility to each households and commercial units of the subdivisions mentioned above.

As a rule, LPG permanent distributors working under IOC should have 4500 customers each.

However, in view of the sparse population in remote areas, the newly selected would be allowed to have only 600 to 700 customers.

It is believed that the new initiative would reduce lumbering in hill areas to a considerable extent.

As such, the Government of Manipur has also urged upon the IOC to launch the scheme at the earliest.

Generally, trees are cut down extensively in hill areas during winter to use as firewood.

However, there is certain apprehension whether the scheme can be implemented effectively in many remote areas in view of the highly deplorable transport infrastructure in these areas.

The IOC is also considering wether two or three truck loads of LPG can be taken to Henglep and Thanlon in a month where condition of roads are quite pathetic, conveyed the source.