India Not to Stop LPG Subsidy to Rich

Rich people in India can enjoy the benefit of LPG subsidy as the government is not considering any proposal to stop supply of subsidised cooking gas to the rich, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Wednesday.

Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have given an option to existing LPG consumers to surrender their subsidy and switch to buying cooking gas at market price, Pradhan said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"Presently, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Government," he said, when asked if the government proposed to stop the supply of subsidised LPG to the well off people.

"However, OMCs have given an option to existing LPG consumers to covert his/her existing domestic LPG connection into a non-subsidised domestic connection, if he/she so desires. This can be done by submitting a written request to the distributor or electronically via www.MyLPG.In," he said.

On Monday, Pradhan had told Lok Sabha that only 12,471 out of about 15 crore LPG consumers have so far voluntarily given up their subsidies.The ministry has urged ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior government officials and executives of public sector companies to give up their subsidies.

Consumers are currently entitled to 12 14.2-kg cylinders or 34 5-kg bottles in a year at subsidised rates. Any requirement above that has to be procured at market price.