Sahaja Rao had shifted to her new apartment in Koramangala five months ago and wanted a new LPG connection for her house. After asking several neighbours for available options and doing several rounds of the distributor for the required documents, she finally managed to get a new LPG connection for her new house. But then, it took her almost two months of repeated visits to the distributors and following up on the status.

This is the case with several people who are want a new LPG connections or want to transfer the connections from other cities to Bangalore. Here’s is a guide that will help you simplify the process of getting the LPG connection.

There are two types of gas cylinders available for domestic use. You can choose from an option of a five kg cylinder and a 14.2 kg cylinder from public sector vendors depending on your needs. Jyothi Gas cylinders come in 33 Kgs,17 Kgs ,12 Kgs & 5.5 Kgs.

The difference between the public and private sector is that the a fixed number of cylinders (upto 6 a year) are available at a subsidised rate (around half the price of that of non-subsidised gas cylinders) from public sector firms. The per-kg rate of non-subsidised gas supplied by public firms is comparable or higher than those supplied by private firms.

Also ration cards are compulsory to get a connection from public sector companies, whereas only address proof is required, if at all, for the private gas agencies.

Remember the regulator size is different for cylinders provided by public sector and private sector vendors. So you cannot interchange the cylinders.

Getting a new connection

Rohini Kishan, a resident of Austin Town, says, "The price of the cylinder differs from distributor to distributor depending on the public and private sector we choose. Initially it was very confusing for me on which one to choose."

A distributor on condition of anonymity, says, "The price of cylinders and time taken for registration of new connection depends on the (individual) vendors and we just distribute the cylinders."

New LPG Connection from public sector vendors

To get a new connection, you have to approach the nearest distributor catering to your area with the required documents. Any one of the following documents are required

• Aadhaar Number (Copy of Aadhaar Letter)
• Copy of house lease agreement / rent receipt
• Copy of Ration Card
• Copy of Passport
• Copy of telephone bill/any other utility bill
• Self declaration attested by Gazetted officer.

As per the new LPG control order, only one LPG connection is permitted per household. You must surrender any additional connection.

Also only six LPG subsidised cylinders will be provided per year for refill. After that, each refill will cost the price of the non subsidised cylinder rate according to the new rule by the government. The average subsidised rate of a 14.2 kg cylinder is Rs 419.50 while the rate of non subsidised cylinders is Rs 883.50. (Private gas cylinders cost around Rs 980 for 19kgs)

You need to go to your nearest dealer and furnish a copy each of your identification proof and residence proof to a gas agency. It is mandatory to take a ration card for domestic connections from public sector.

The agency allocates to you a New Gas Connection Booking (NGCB) number that you need to remember. This number will be required while following up with the agency and also while booking new cylinder.

Ensure that you are provided with a booklet/passbook. The agency will make a record of your LPG bookings. The agencies claim to provide the connections within a month.

The security deposit depends on the agency which includes the following:

• The deposit for each metal cylinder.
• The regulator
• Refill cost of the first cylinder
• Gas tube
• Administration and installation charges.

The average security deposit for 14.2 kg cylinders is Rs 1450 and Rs 350 for 5 kg cylinder.

• Click the links for distributors for Bharath Gas, Indane and HP Gas. Online booking is available for Bharath Gas.

New LPG connection from private sector firms

For private cooking gas vendors, no documentation is required. They take a deposit (around 3000 Rs, partially refundable) and give the connection within a day.

• Click here for dealers of Jyothi gas and Total Gas.

Portable gas cylinders with attached burners available, off the shelf at some local retailers. These are convenient for occasional basic cooking needs.

Booking a new LPG cylinder

If you are a HP gas customer, you can book your cylinder in person, via telephone or online. To book the cylinder online, you have to have an account with the HPGas Consumer World. You can create this account on the HP website jihaan.hpcl.co.in/booking.

For Bharatgas bookings, you can go online at www.ebharatgas.com where you have to create a login ID and password. Here you can place an order for refill cylinder online. This facility is available along with booking a cylinder in person and calling your local LPG agency. Refill booking through SMS is also available.

For Indane gas, you can visit their website at www.indane.co.in and register and create your account. You can either get a new connection or submit a cylinder refill request depending on your needs through online booking.

With private gas vendors, it is usually a matter of calling them on the phone and cylinders are delivered the same day.

Transfer process

Within the same distributor’s area of operation

Provide your distributor your new address with supporting proof of residence so that he effects the change in his records and your future supplies will be sent to your new place of residence.

Within the same town

In case your present distributor does not service your new place of residence, you may approach your distributor with your original subscription voucher. The distributor shall prepare a transfer termination voucher (TTV) for the place of your new residence. You can then approach the nearest distributor serving your new place of residence along with proof of residence, TTV and DGCC booklet (Domestic gas consumer card). The distributor shall prepare a Transfer Subscription voucher (TSV) against your TTV and shall provide you a new consumer number. These details will be updated in your DGCC booklet.

In this case of a shift of residence within the same town you are not required to surrender your equipment. Hence you need to carry your domestic cylinder and pressure regulator to your new residence.

While getting transferred out of town

In case you are transferred outside the town, you are required to surrender your equipment i.e. cylinder and pressure regulator to your current distributor. You may approach your distributor with your subscription voucher and DGCC along-with your Cylinder and Pressure Regulator. The distributor in turn will prepare a Termination Voucher (TV) in your name for your new place and refund the deposit held against the cylinder and regulator. At the new place you can approach the nearest Indane distributor for resuming your Indane supplies.⊕