NRI appeals for LPG connection in India

Chandigarh  : Unable to procure a cooking gas connection for his home in Punjab has forced a British citizen of Indian origin to approach the Punjab Non-Resident Indians (NRI) commission.

The commission has, in turn, issued notice to the union ministry of petroleum and natural gas.

The notice has been issued on a complaint filed by Baldev Singh, who is from Punjab’s Moga district, but is now a British citizen and holds a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card, a spokesman of the commission said here Wednesday.

In his complaint, Baldev Singh pointed out that while many benefits have been given to people of Indian origin for their stay in India, they cannot live without an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder.

He pointed out that to get an LPG connection, the applicant has to make a declaration that “I am an Indian Citizen”.

He said that since he is not an Indian citizen but holds a PIO card, he could not apply for a gas cylinder.

“This frustrates my intention to stay in India for a longer period,” he said.

The spokesman said that Singh was claiming relief to the extent that the declaration should include “OCI/PIO card-holders” to enable them to get gas connections.

The ministry has been asked to file a reply on or before Oct 5 to the commission.

Punjab has a huge population of NRIs, most of whom are settled in the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and other countries.