Lok Sabha Question No. 1120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: LPG Cylinders at Subsidised Rates to the Residents of Lakshadweep
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1120 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05 FEBRUARY, 2026

## LPG Cylinders at Subsidised Rates to the Residents of Lakshadweep

## 1120.  SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  implemented  any  special  scheme  or  mechanism  to  provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders at subsidised rates to the residents of Lakshadweep keeping in view the high transportation cost and geographical isolation of the islands;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the present retail price of LPG cylinders in Lakshadweep as compared to the mainland;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representations from the elected representatives or residents of Lakshadweep seeking enhanced subsidy or price parity with mainland rates;
- (d) if so, the details of such representations and the action taken thereon; and
- (e) the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure affordable and uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders to the residents of Lakshadweep?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (e): Distribution of  LPG in Lakshadweep islands is 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  01.02.2026  is  Rs.  860  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 Rs. 1353.50 per 14.2 Kg cylinder (at Kavaratti).

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  placement  of  cylinders  includes transportation charges, handling and port charges and is worked out by LCMF. The incurred cost is advised by LCMF to cooperative society of each island 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.

Government  keeps  receiving  representations from  various stakeholders including elected representatives regarding the prices of domestic LPG in Lakshadweep. These representations are examined in line with extant policies and acted upon as per due process.

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