Parliament Question: Transportation Subsidy for LPG Cylinders in Lakshadweep

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 AUGUST, 2026 Transportation Subsidy for LPG Cylinders in Lakshadweep

3213. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED: पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the high costs borne by the residents of Lakshadweep Islands for domestic cooking gas due to steep maritime transportation charges, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there is any proposal to introduce a dedicated transportation subsidy for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders supplied to the Islands, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the details of the measures taken to ensure affordable and seamless access to domestic fuel for consumers living in the Islands? ANSWER पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी ((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (c): Distribution of LPG in Lakshadweep islands is currently done by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) through Lakshadweep Co-operative Marketing Federation

(LCMF), designated as the wholesale agent of Lakshadweep Administration under Public Distribution System.

The Retail Selling Price of domestic LPG at Kochi as on 31.07.2026 is Rs. 949 per 14.2 Kg cylinder. While the pricing of Lakshadweep is based on Kochi market in Kerala, additional transportation and handling charges for bringing the cylinder to various islands of the UT are charged from consumers by LCMF. As a result, the Retail Selling Price of domestic LPG in Lakshadweep islands is higher than that of Kochi.

The Retail Selling Prices in various islands of Lakshadweep vary from island to island based on the expenditure incurred on placement of cylinders by Lakshadweep Co-operative Marketing Federation (LCMF). The amount of expenditure incurred on transportation charges, handling and port charges, etc. is worked out by LCMF and is charged from LPG consumers.

To ensure seamless LPG supplies in Lakshadweep islands, IOCL has hired two marine vessels MV Elikalpeni and MV Ganga for placement of LPG cylinders at various islands of Lakshadweep, incurring additional costs which are currently being borne by IOCL.

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