This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1981, answered on July 31, 2025, regarding the LPG distribution network of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in Lakshadweep. The question addresses the availability of LPG distribution in Chetlat and Bitra islands, Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
The response from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirms that domestic LPG supplies in Lakshadweep are managed solely by IOCL. While the UT of Lakshadweep consists of 10 inhabited islands, including Chetlat and Bitra, distribution is handled by the Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF), a cooperative society under the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA). LPG cylinders are transported from the Calicut bottling plant to the islands.
Currently, residents of Chetlat (population 2,347) and Bitra (population 271, as per the 2011 Census) obtain LPG supplies from extension counters/godowns located on nearby islands. To improve supply infrastructure, UTLA has constructed dedicated LPG cylinder godowns on Chetlat and Bitra for use by LCMF.
Key Entities Referenced
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, consisting of islands in the Laccadive Sea.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC): A government-owned oil and gas company responsible for LPG distribution in Lakshadweep.
Chetlat: One of the inhabited islands in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
Bitra: One of the inhabited islands in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS: The ministry responsible for petroleum and natural gas affairs.
SHRI SURESH GOPI: Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF): A cooperative society under the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration responsible for LPG cylinder distribution.
Calicut: Location of the bottling plant for LPG cylinders shipped to Lakshadweep, in Kerala State.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1981
TO BE ANSWERED ON 31st July, 2025
LPG Distribution Network of IOC in Lakshadweep
1981. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed:
पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम एवं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the islands of Chetlat and Bitra in the Union Territory
of Lakshadweep are currently not covered under the LPG distribution network of Indian Oil
Corporation (IOC);
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the continued non-availability of LPG
distribution facilities in these remote islands;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take immediate steps to establish LPG distribution or
alternative supply mechanisms in Chetlat and Bitra islands to ensure access to clean cooking fuel
for the residents;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the timeline and modalities proposed for the
implementation of such facilities; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
पे(cid:282)ो(cid:871)लयम एवं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ालय म(cid:581) रा(cid:207)यमं(cid:287)ी
((cid:302)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (e): Domestic LPG supplies in Lakshadweep island is solely done by Indian Oil
Corporation Ltd. (IOCL). The UT of Lakshadweep islands constitutes of 10 inhabited islands,
viz- Kavaratti, Androth, Minicoy, Amini, Agatti, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat & Bitra.LPG cylinders are taken on ships/boats from Calicut bottling plant to various islands in the UT.
Domestic LPG distribution to these islands is done by distributorship run by Lakshadweep
Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF), a cooperative society under the Union Territory of
Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA). LCMF currently oversees the distribution of LPG
cylinders across the UT of Lakshadweep through a network of godowns and extension counters.
Chetlat and Bitra are small islands with populations of only 2,347 and 271 people respectively,
according to the 2011 Census. Residents of these islands avail LPG supplies from extension
counters/godowns located in nearby islands currently.
To further improve the supply infrastructure in Chetlat and Bitra, UTLA, has constructed
dedicated LPG cylinder Godowns in these islands for use by LCMF.
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