Amaravati, April 10 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday set a target of providing 1 million PNG connections within the next six months, amid constraints in the supply of cooking gas linked to the Israel-US-Iran conflict.
Reviewing the domestic gas supply, the CM directed oil companies and officials to promote Piped Natural Gas as a preferred alternative to liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is largely imported.
"He set a target of providing 1 million (10 lakh) PNG connections within the next six months, directing officials to ensure there is no delay in achieving this goal," a press release quoting Naidu said.
The CM called for awareness among beneficiaries of the Deepam scheme, a state welfare programme that provides three free cooking gas cylinders per year, on the benefits of switching to PNG.
He noted that beneficiaries who opt for PNG would continue to receive subsidies under the Deepam scheme, and directed that orders to this effect be issued immediately, the release said.
Naidu stressed the need to clearly inform beneficiaries that they can retain Deepam scheme benefits even after migrating to PNG connections.
Following a review of measures taken by oil companies to expand PNG connections, officials informed him that the domestic gas situation is expected to normalise soon.
During a review of delays in the Srikakulam–Kakinada natural gas pipeline project, the CM sought an explanation from officials.
Upon being informed that certain decisions were pending at the central government level, Naidu spoke with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, urging him to expedite the project.
Officials also informed the CM that the tendering process for the pipeline project had already been completed.
The union minister responded positively and assured that the matter would be reviewed soon and necessary action taken to accelerate the project, the press release added.