In a strategic move akin to the successful Ujjwala scheme, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry is crafting plans to incentivize the adoption of piped natural gas (PNG) among impoverished households.
The initiative, tentatively named “Prajwala,” aims to be a prominent feature of the government’s first 100-day agenda post-election, sources familiar with the matter revealed. Amid preparations by officials, discussions are anticipated with the cabinet secretary in early May, coinciding with the election period. Encouraging a natural gas-centric economy has been a cornerstone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s energy strategy for the past decade. However, despite government efforts to promote PNG, its uptake lags significantly behind liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with only approximately 12 million PNG consumers compared to 320 million LPG users. To address this disparity, the ministry intends to propose waivers on connection charges, along with subsidies, to render PNG more economically attractive than LPG. Additionally, the introduction of prepaid meters aims to mitigate concerns regarding lower consumption. Unlike LPG, where consumers purchase entire cylinders at once, prepaid meters enable frequent and smaller recharges, potentially increasing average consumption rates.
While the scheme seeks to make PNG more accessible and affordable, challenges such as infrastructure development and target achievement by city gas distributors persist. Licenses for city gas distribution cover nearly the entire nation, and a robust pipeline grid ensures widespread supply. However, distribution targets have been missed in some areas, leading to penalties. Through the proposed initiative, the government aims to not only expand PNG accessibility but also address energy affordability concerns among marginalized communities, aligning with broader developmental goals.
