There will be no dearth of LPG or auto-fuel, says BPCL CMD

New Delhi: With India under a 21-day-long lockdown to contain the spread of Coronavirus, state-run BPCL CMD (Chairman and Managing Director) D Rajkumar has assured the nation that there will be no dearth of LPG or auto-fuel. In a statement released on Tuesday, Rajkumar said, "We would assure everyone that we have enough of LPG stock, across our network. All our LPG Plants have enough manpower to operate them and all our distributors are making all efforts to deliver Bharatgas cylinders at the door step of our consumers. We shall ensure that your cylinders will reach your home… Our cylinders are disinfected with Sodium Hypochlorite solution spray before they are dispatched from our bottling plants."

The statement comes as LPG demand in the country has gone up by at least three times in the wake of the lockdown. The BPCL CMD said that over 16,000 fuel stations are operational and are fuelling the customers' requirements in line with directives from the local authorities. Essential services like medical, administrative, essential and emergency services are also being regularly fuelled at BPCL stations, Rajkumar added.

3 free LPG cylinders in 3 months to PMUY beneficiaries: BPCL CMD

"PMUY beneficiaries, who are the weakest section of our society, have always been supported by BPCL, in line with the government's directives. We are fully geared up to meet the increased demand, which we expect from the next month, on account of the Free Cylinder Scheme announced by Hon'ble Prime Minister for PMUY beneficiaries, where three cylinders will be given in three months to such beneficiaries," said the statement.

BPCL employees commit a day's salary to PM CARES fund

Along with BPCL and its subsidiaries contributing towards PM-CARES Fund to help the government to combat COVID-19, the company's employees are also contributing a day's salary for the cause.

"We have today announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each, in the event of the death of any such personnel engaged at fuel stations (Driveway Sales Men & Women, etc), POL Operation Locations (Depots & Installations), LPG Bottling Plants, LPG Distributorships (Delivery Boys, Showroom &Godown staff etc) Pipeline TOPs, Intermediate Pumping Stations, and crew of all transports services, including bulk LPG trucks due to the infection and impact of Coronavirus," the company said.

Annadan for poor people at ROs

Over 1,000 BPCL fuel stations across the country have been distributing food packets or serving meals and water to the distressed and stranded migrant workers heading towards their hometowns and truck crews. "We are proud that our dealers have come forward to extend all help. Our fuel stations on highways are helping people with shelter, toilet and shower facilities," said the CMD.

"In addition to the above major initiatives, we are enforcing COVID 19 related specific safety and preventive precautions like social distancing and personal hygiene across our operations. Continuous messages, both internal and customer-facing, through various means, including the social media, are being broadcast to encourage employees and channel partners to take necessary precautions," the CMD said.