Govt issues modified guidelines for LPG distributorships

The government has modified the guidelines for LPG dealership for state-run oil marketing companies and framed unified guidelines for four separate types of LPG distributorship, minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.

Besides introducing four types of LPG distributorships - Sheheri (Urban), Rurban (Semi-urban), Gramin (Rural) and Durgam Kshetriya Vitrak (Remote area dealership), the government also announced the setting up of 'LPG Suvidha Kendra' in far flung (Durgam) areas.

The maximum age limit for LPG distributorship has been extended from 45 to 60 years while educational qualification for all types of distributorships has been made uniform. The minimum qualification will now be 10th standard.

The new guidelines provide for direct allotment of LPG distributorships to state government agencies in `Durgam' areas.

Thirty-three per cent of all available distributorship will be reserved for women.

Besides there will be separate reservation of 3 per cent for handicapped (Divyang) applicants.

For urban distributorship (Sheheri Vitraks), the selection process will be online.

The detailed guidelines namely `Unified Guidelines for Selection of LPG Distributorships' is available on the website of the petroleum ministry.

The selection guidelines for retail fuel outlets as approved in 2014 will continue, the petroleum ministry release added.