The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Mr. Jitin Prasada informed the parliament on Thursday that the oil marketing companies have been asked to call for global tender to set up a manufacturing facility for fiberglass cooking gas cylinders in the country.
Addressing the matter in the Lok Sabha through a written reply the minister said, "The government has advised public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) to call for a global expression of interest to set up facilities for manufacturing of composite cylinders domestically". Adding further to the matter Mr. Prasada pointed out that the new composite or fiberglass cylinders will be introduced as an alternative to the standard steel cylinders.
Further he pointed out customers willing to pay a higher initial security deposit will be provided these cylinders. Adding further to the matter the minister pointed out that only after finalization of the tender and placement of purchase order, the cost of the proposed translucent will show the level of LPG present in the cylinder. Handling of these cylinders would be easier as they will be lighter in weight than steel cylinders.
Further he pointed out that the composite cylinders will have a translucent body and hence will show the level of LPG present in the cylinder. Further the news fiber glass cylinders will be much lighter in weight in comparison to the existing metal LPG cylinders. Further while answering a question relating to expiry age of the LPG cylinders Mr. Prasada pointed out that there were no rules regarding age of LPG cylinders.
Adding to the matter he said that in the absence of such rule none of them could be termed as overage. However the Gas Cylinder Rules 2004, states that all cylinders are tested 10 years after year of manufacturing and then subsequently every five years. Adding to the matter Mr. Prasada said, "The cylinders which are declared unfit in these tests are taken out of circulation and de-shaped".
In reply to another question Shri Prasada also informed that at present, 3 Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), namely Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have a total of 17.84 crore LPG cylinders in circulation all across the country.