Andhra Pradesh government determined to go smoke-free by June 8

Nellore: Tahsildars have become marketing managers to promote gas connections in view of the state government directives to ensure gas connections to every white ration cardholder so as to put an end to the supply of kerosene and convert AP into a smoke-free state by June 8. Much of the time of the tahsildars is being spent on prevailing upon BPL families in rural areas to take LPG connections for the last six months.

They are instrumental in nearly two lakh households switching over to LPG under Deepam scheme in SPSR Nellore district. They are even arranging funds with the help of local philanthropists to enable the poor among cardholders take gas connection under Deepam scheme because of pressure on them to complete the task. Despite the efforts, 50,000 people are yet to be covered though the deadline is just 10 days away.

A peculiar problem being faced by the Tahsildars is that many people, especially in rural areas, are wary over LPG under the assumption that it is an explosive and they want to continue with kerosene for cooking. A Tahsildar working in Sullurpeta C. Ravindra Babu said he had come across people who do not want the connection even if it is offered  free of cost because of fear over leakage and explosion.

Incidentally the state government has been bearing the security deposit Rs 1,650 towards cylinder and regulator under the scheme for each connection. Nellore Joint Collector A. MD. Imtiaz said they would have covered all BPL households with LPG by this time if not for non-cooperation by some gas companies.

Though they fell in line now, gas companies such as BPCL and HPCL had demanded advance payment of subsidy and this led to delay in completing the ambitious programme, JC said. Expressing confidence in completing the target before June 8 deadline, he said they will continue to supply kerosene to 30,000 households in the district because of a restriction by the Centre against LPG connection to thatched houses.