Only 0.35% domestic LPG users gave up subsidy

Three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Give It Up' campaign, only 0.35 <g data-gr-id="38">per cent</g> of the domestic LPG consumers have so far given up using subsidised cooking gas.

At a review meeting chaired by Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan last week, it was informed that just over 5.5 lakh out of the 15.3 crore LPG consumers have so far voluntarily surrendered subsidised LPG and started buying the cooking fuel at the market price, a top official said.

Though Pradhan since January has been pushing for <g data-gr-id="31">well off</g> people to surrender their LPG subsidy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March officially launched 'Give It Up' campaign so that the subsidy is better targeted for the needy.

The official said while an appeal has been made to all Members of Parliament (MPs) and MLAs, government officials and executives of public sector companies, the response has not been very enthusiastic.

"Not all MPs, that include those from the ruling party, have given up LPG subsidy. <g data-gr-id="25">Response</g> of MLAs has been poor," he said.

Pradhan is pushing hard to make the campaign launched by Prime Minister a success. He even made personal phone calls to VIPs, requesting them to give up buying subsidised LPG.

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

market rates.

On his plea, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and several other ministers as well chief ministers like Akhilesh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh have given up subsidised LPG but the campaign has not had the desired success, he said.