CM Taking Steps To Tide Over LPG Crisis

Chennai: Announcing the subsidy of Rs 2 per unit for excess electricity consumed by industries and families instead of LPG, the shortage of which caused a major crisis caused by the outbreak of the Gulf War, K Radhakrishnan said that Prime Minister MK Stalin was closely monitoring the situation and held a series of meetings with different stakeholders, including restaurant owners and industries, to find ways to rectify the situation.

Addressing the media along with him, State Level coordinator of oil companies supplying LPG, Palaniswami and several other officers in the Secretariat on Saturday, Radhakrishnan said a number of measures have been taken and details of plans to promote the use of electricity as an alternative source of energy in homes and industries through subsidies and special schemes enabling the purchase of electrical appliances.

The government had relaxed various pollution control norms and allowed MSMEs using LPG and CNG to switch to alternative fuels like kerosene, RDF, HSD, Biomass and so on, only without prior permission from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), which had to be informed about the switch. He said all 60,698 industries monitored by TNPCB can use its facility until LPG shortage continues.

He said that LPG cylinders will be supplied to household consumers in urban areas every 25 days and in rural areas every 45 days. He said that LPG for commercial use will be kept at 20 percent and priority will be given to hospitals, student dormitories, schools and colleges.

Anticipating the crisis that will affect 9,300 primary milk producers due to restaurant closures, the government has drawn up mitigation plans and announced a series of schemes to provide subsidies and financial support to industries for the purchase of electrical appliances that will help in the transition to electricity.

Peak milk cooperative Aavin will purchase milk directly from producers and farmers, whose vegetable sales may be adversely affected by the closure of restaurants, will be allowed to distribute their produce without any restrictions in 194 farmers’ markets in the state.

Under the public distribution system, an additional 3228 kilo liters of kerosene would be distributed to family card holders, he said and gave details of the measures taken at the behest of the Chief Minister. Officials stated that oil companies are making efforts to bring LPG cylinders to meet the demands of the public; Coordination was being ensured at the district level to ensure smooth supply.

Urging the public not to fall for the rumors spread about the situation, Radhakrishnan said that the State government depends on the Union Government for LPG supply and is solely based on the information provided by them. He also warned black marketers trying to make extra money from the crisis.