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Hyderabad , Aug. 28

ENHANCING the scope of its LPG business, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) today announced the launch of `Beyond LPG', an initiative aimed at offering "add-on" services to its customers.

The company has tied up reputed kitchenware brands such as Hawkins, Prestige, Nirlep and PKL to offer their products at select Bharatgas distributors in the twin cities. "Shortly, the scheme will be introduced in the rest of country in phases," Mr R.K. Singh, Executive Director (LPG), said.

Addressing a news conference after the launch of `Beyond LPG', Mr Singh said these kitchenware products would be offered at discounts ranging from 10-25 per cent.

The product basket also includes Suraksha LPG Hose at a discounted price.

BPCL has a customer base of 17 million and a network of 1,800 distributors across the country.

The company is also planning to sell FMCG products through its dealership network. "We have launched a pilot project in Mumbai. After evaluating the project, we will introduce it elsewhere," he said.

In a later phase, the company is likely to expand the scope of the products including stoves, geysers and generators run on LPG.

Discounting fears that these services would divert BPCL's attention, Mr Singh said the idea was to retain and reward the loyal customers. "It's a win-win situation for us and other service providers."

The company has targeted to connect 30,000 flats with gas pipelines in the financial year. "Of this, AP will have 3,000 flats," Mr Singh said, and added that buildings under constructions would be given preference as it would be easy to plan and install the systems.

It has introduced this service in places like Chennai, Madurai and Bangalore and Hyderabad.

It would cost Rs 8,000 a flat to get the pipeline installed.

With a view to catering to the rural market, BPCL is planning to expand its mobile gas tanks. At present, it runs 24 of such tanks in various parts of the country, two of them being pressed into service in Andhra Pradesh. "This will reduce effort for the users in the hinterland," he said.

With regard to the Deepam scheme, the company has so far met 98 per cent of the requirements. "The Chief Minister has written to us to introduce five-kg LPG cylinders for the scheme. And we were the first company to respond," he said.

Commenting on the burden on the LPG business, he said each cylinder carried a burden of around Rs 100 due to the subsidy component and non-increase in the prices.

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