Well-off people should give up LPG subsidy, urges PM

Sanjeev Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 27

After the soft launch of the idea for the well off to give up their LPG subsidy netted 2.8 lakh responses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today formally launched the “Give It Up” campaign for the well-to-do sections to voluntarily give up LPG subsidy.

This is the second major initiative by the government to save on LPG subsidy and leakages after the direct benefit transfer of LPG to bank accounts which has now crossed 12 crore consumers.

Since November last year, senior ministers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, have been advocating the need for LPG subsidy to reach the poor rather than be available by those who are well off. In January, Jaitley had voluntarily given up use of subsidised LPG cylinder. “Finance Minister has set an example by giving up subsidy on LPG, other colleagues & people who can afford should join this initiative,” Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had tweeted.

The government had asked the rich to give up subsidies on LPG to make them available to people who deserve it. Several industrialists, politicians and bureaucrats have voluntarily given up the subsidised cooking gas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said 2.8 lakh consumers had given up LPG subsidy which would result in saving Rs 100 crore.

“I had made a small mention about giving up LPG subsidy. As many as 2.8 lakh people have responded positively and this will lead to a saving of at least Rs 100 crore. This Rs 100 crore can be utilised for the welfare of the poor,” Modi said while speaking at the Urja Sangam here.

Modi said the reforms in the energy sector over the last 10 months were motivated by the quest for greater energy security. He said transfer of LPG subsidy directly into bank accounts through the world’s largest cash subsidy transfer programme in the world – PAHAL – had resulted in elimination of leakages, and curbing corruption.