Billed as first of its kind in the country, the ambitious programme costing Rs 100 crore by way of subsidy to the government, is aimed at achieving the twin objective of lessening the drudgery of women as well as conserving forests.

The state government managed to convince public sector oil companies Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to take up distribution of cylinders.

But the scheme is not without problems, which, it is feared, may impede its implementation. The fact that the total LPG connections in the State so far are only 3.1 million and those issued last year were about 2.3 lakh, underscores the daunting task before thegovernment in implementing the new scheme.

The target fixed by the public sector oil companies for the entire country for 1999-2000 is 7.1 million LPG connections. Of this, AP would get about five lakh connections in the normal course but it would now go up to 1.5 million.

``We are confident of implementing the scheme as it will bring about a revolution in the rural economy and culture,'' said a senior official.

The state government will spend about Rs 100 crore on the scheme in the form of subsidy of Rs 1,000 per connection towards the refundable deposit. The beneficiaries will have to bear the cost of stove, refill cylinder (14 kg) and other incidental expenses.

While the scheme itself is unique, lack of sufficient infrastructure and logistical support might create hurdles in its implementation.

The officials have a herculean task ahead in selecting about 800 to 600 women from each mandal.

As the villages from within a distance of 10 to 15 km from the mandal centres would be coveredunder the scheme, the collectors have been asked to engage private operators to carry the cylinders. But, doubts are being expressed over the cost of transporting cylinders to villages.

``The cylinder price is Rs 170. But, it may go up in view of the high costs of transportation,'' a HPC gas dealer said. Lack of LPG dealers in all mandals would push up the cost of transporting cylinders to villages in the interior.

However, Civil Supplies commissioner HS Brahma does not agree with the scheme's pessimists. He dismissed the apprehensions saying that the existing 470 LPG outlets would cater to the needs of new customers too. ``Moreover, the three companies will open another 75 outlets soon,'' he explained.