**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 815 regarding the supply of LPG cylinders to the islands of Chetlat and Bitra in Lakshadweep, scheduled to be answered on December 4th, 2025. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas provides details on the distribution infrastructure and acknowledges that Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF) will use the godowns constructed by UTLA.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **LPG Supply Responsibility:**
* Domestic LPG supply in Lakshadweep is solely managed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL).
* **Lakshadweep Geography:**
* The Union Territory of Lakshadweep consists of 10 inhabited islands, including Kavaratti, Androth, Minicoy, Amini, Agatti, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kiltan, Chetlat, and Bitra.
* **LPG Distribution:**
* LPG cylinders are transported via ships/boats from a Calicut bottling plant.
* Domestic LPG distribution is handled by the Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF).
* LCMF operates under the Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA).
* LCMF manages the distribution through a network of godowns and extension counters.
* **Chetlat and Bitra Specifics:**
* The islands of Chetlat and Bitra have populations of 2,347 and 271, respectively (2011 Census).
* Residents currently obtain LPG supplies from extension counters/godowns on nearby islands.
* **Infrastructure Improvements:**
* UTLA has constructed dedicated LPG cylinder godowns in Chetlat and Bitra for use by LCMF.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Residents of Chetlat and Bitra**
* **Impact:** Improved access to LPG supplies with the construction of dedicated godowns on their islands.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action is required from the residents; the action is for LCMF to utilize the new godowns.
**Stakeholder: Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for utilizing the newly constructed LPG cylinder godowns in Chetlat and Bitra.
* **Action Required:** LCMF needs to incorporate the new godowns into their distribution network to improve supply to the islands.
**Stakeholder: Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA)**
* **Impact:** Construction of dedicated LPG godowns.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with LCMF for the utilization of the LPG godowns.
Key Entities Referenced
Lakshadweep: Union Territory of India, central to the LPG cylinder supply issue
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The ministry responsible for answering the question regarding LPG supply.
Chetlat and Bitra: Specific islands within Lakshadweep where LPG supply is the subject of inquiry.
Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF): Cooperative society overseeing LPG cylinder distribution in Lakshadweep.
Union Territory of Lakshadweep Administration (UTLA): The Lakshadweep administration. UTLA has constructed dedicated LPG cylinder godowns in Chetlat and Bitra.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 815
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4th December, 2025
Supply of LPG Cylinders in the Islands of Chetlat and Bitra, Lakshadweep
815. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed:
प(cid:282)े ो(cid:871)लयम एव ं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस म(cid:287)ं ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the supply of LPG cylinders has not yet
commenced in the islands of Chetlat and Bitra in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for inordinate delay in starting LPG supply
in these islands;
(c) whether any timeline has been fixed for commencing the regular LPG distribution in
Chetlat and Bitra, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure uninterrupted and safe LPG supply to
all inhabited islands of Lakshadweep?
ANSWER
प(cid:282)े ो(cid:871)लयम एवं (cid:292)ाकृ(cid:467)तक गैस मं(cid:287)ालय म(cid:581) रा(cid:207)यम(cid:287)ं ी
((cid:302)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) to (d): 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 extensioncounters/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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