Maharashtra government to incur Rs 2,400 crore burden on subsidised cylinders

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Government will incur a burden of Rs 2,400 crore to provide three subsidised LPG cylinders to consumers in the state, officials said.

"There are 1.71 crore LPG consumers and five crore gas cylinders and giving subsidies will cost the state exchequer a huge burden of Rs 2,400 crore. There are suggestions that the subsidies should be given only to the BPL families. At present, we are working out the figures and whether the concessions can be given to specific categories," government officials said.

After the cap of subsidised LPG cylinders by the Centre, Congress has asked its state governments to provide three additional subsidised cylinders, taking the total number of subsidised LPG to nine.

Officials said, the issue is likely to figure in this week's cabinet meeting.

"We are taking a review of the number of consumers, cylinders used and the financial implications. The decision will be taken in the cabinet," they said.