Oil marketing companies have decided to bring in technological interventions with a view to remove bottlenecks in distribution system. They also aim to make the system fool-proof by the end of this fiscal against the backdrop of capping in the number of subsidised cylinders.

BPCL executive director George Paul told the media that the three OMCs, which distribute gas to over 14 crore registered customers across the nation, are currently piloting three different interventions based on bar-coding, an RFID card and a GPRS device which will be implemented by next March.

He further said some system should be in place by March, which will take care of the present set of troubles being faced by customers in wake of the government's September 14 decision to cap the subsidised cooking cylinders at 6 per year and the rest of cylinders at market rate, which is more than double the first six cylinders.

There is no ban on issuing new subsidised cooking gas – LPG – connections. State-owned oil companies said in a statement yesterday that new connections are being released after receipt of completed Know Your Customer – KYC – forms and multiple connection check. Those, who are desirous of availing new LPG connections, are also requested to submit the details in the KYC format along with proof of identity and proof of address.

Oil PSUs are carrying out a massive nationwide exercise to eliminate users having multiple connections at the same addresses. They said, following the government decision to cap supply of subsidised LPG to 6 cylinders per household in a year all LPG consumers are eligible for three subsidised domestic cylinders up to 31st of March next year. There is no restriction on the number of domestic non-subsidised cylinders that consumers can avail beyond the three subsidised LPG refills to meet their genuine demand. From April 1, next year, LPG consumers can avail six domestic subsidised LPG refill cylinders in a financial year.