Ananth Kumar to give up buying subsidised cooking gas

NEW DELHI: Fertilizer Minister Ananth Kumar today announced he will give up buying subsidised cooking gas ( LPG) and requested all those who don't need the subsidy to join the initiative.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event here, Kumar said: "After the request of our Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, I have decided to surrender my subsidised LPG gas connection as it is in the interest of nation and poor people should get subsidy. I will also request all those who can afford they should surrender subsidised LPG gas cylinders."

Meanwhile, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been making personal calls to one VIP everyday to request them to give up buying subsidised cooking gas (LPG).

Keen to ensure that the subsidised fuel reaches only those needing it, Pradhan surrendered his subsidised LPG connection soon after becoming a minister and has since then been buying gas at market rate.

On Pradhan's plea, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has given up subsidised LPG, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has voluntarily also done the same. Power Minister Piyush Goyal also had tweeted that he too has given up subsidised LPG.

Consumers are currently entitled to twelve 14.2-kg cylinders or 34 five-kg bottles in a year at subsidised rates. A subsidised 14.2-kg cylinder is currently available at Rs 417 per bottle in Delhi and the 5-kg pack costs Rs 155.

Market priced LPG is available at Rs 708.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder and Rs 351 per 5-kg bottle.

Giving up subsidised LPG will help cut government's subsidy bill which was Rs 46,458 crore on the fuel last fiscal.

Pradhan had urged ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior government officials and executives of public sector companies to give up their subsidies.

Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have given an option to existing LPG consumers to convert their existing domestic LPG connection into a non-subsidised domestic connection. This can be done by submitting a written request to the distributor or electronically via www.MyLPG.in.