83 lakh people voluntarily gave up LPG subsidy

The government will provide five crore LPG connections on concessional rates in the name of women from below poverty line.

Stressing that the government is committed towards reforming the subsidy structure, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said 83 lakh people have voluntarily given up their LPG subsidy so far.

To a question if the government will accept the Kirit Parikh Committee's recommendations on reducing subsidy burden, Pradhan said the Prime Minister has already urged the affluent class to give up their LPG subsidy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the 'Give it up' campaign in March last year and, as on date, 83 lakh people, including the middle class and retired, have given up their LPG subsidy, he added.

"We are very clear that subsidy should be targeted and we are committed towards reforming it," Pradhan said.

Asked whether benefits of declining natural gas prices are being passed on to the consumer, Pradhan said that LPG cylinders are already subsidised.

He said the government will provide five crore LPG connections on concessional rates in the name of women from below poverty line (BPL) families over three years till 2018-19.