Thiruvananthapuram, Wednesday 08 July 2009: Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran said that the oil companies would clear much of the backlog in providing new gas connections in the State before Onam.

The Minister was addressing a press conference after discussions with officials and representatives of oil companies and gas distributors.

Kerala Civil Supplies Minister said Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) would give 45,000 new connections, clearing the backlog up to April 30 this year.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) would clear the complete backlog of 14,000 connections. Besides, it would provide second cylinders to 10,000 consumers against pending applications for 68,000 cylinders.

The IOC would provide second cylinders to 1.8 lakh consumers, clearing applications received up to 2007. Its backlog from August 2005 was of four lakh cylinders. Bharat Petroluem Corporation Ltd. had no backlog in the State.
The Minister said both the IOC and the HPCL would augment capacity for filling of gas in Kerala.

The HPCL was setting up a new plant capable of handling 12,000 metric tonnes of gas in Kottayam with private participation.
He had taken up the issue of shortage in Kerala with the Union government and would be doing so again if the problems persisted.

Divakaran said that the companies had agreed to streamline distribution before Onam provided that there would be no strike by workers or truckers.

The government had requested trade unions to avoid any strike during Onam. He said that the government would take action against gas agencies collecting money for delivery of gas.