In a significant decision, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has decided that the foreign nationals, the non-resident Indians (NRIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs), and the overseas citizens of India (OCIs) would be eligible for a domestic non-subsidised lPG connection.
The decision came after the matter was examined by the Ministry in consultation with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs in the wake of a notice issued by the Punjab State NRI Commission on the complaint by Baldev Singh and Vijay Kumar Saria.
"Baldev Singh and Vijay Kumar Saria submitted their complaint with the Commission that they cannot live without having a gas cylinder for cooking, for which one has to apply with a declaration saying that 'I am an Indian Citizen'. Since, they are not, they cannot apply for a gas cylinder, which frustrates their intention to stay in India for a longer period," stated the Commission's spokesman.
The complainants pointed out that PIO or OCI card-holders have been provided various facilities by the Union Government in economic, financial, educational fields and for a longer stay in India. "But, this very objective gets frustrated when even they cannot apply for a cooking-gas cylinder for cooking during their stay in India," they stated in their complaint.
Taking note of their complaint, the Commission issued a notice to the Indian Oil Corporation that informed that the regulating ministry is the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. "Subsequently, the Commission issued notice to the concerned Ministry to look into the issue so that PIO or OCI card-holders, to whom many benefits have been given, with regard to their longer stay in India, can be benefited," added the spokesman.