Govt rules out rollback of decision to cap subsidised LPG

"No, absolutely not. There is no change (in the September 13 decision)," a top government source said.

The government had on September 13 decided to cap supply of subsidised LPG with a view to check burgeoning subsidy bill. Any requirement over and above the six subsidised bottles would have to be procured at market price.

Accordingly, households will get six cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidised price of Rs 410.42 in Delhi and for any requirement above this, they would have to pay Rs 895.5 per bottle.

"If we are to change this, then there will be a shadow (of rollback) cast on the recent reforms like FDI in retail," the source said.

On his part, Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy said, "I have nothing new to say on this."

He, however, clarified that all consumers, irrespective of how many subsidised LPG cylinders they may have consumed in the first half of current fiscal that began in April, will get will three 14.2-kg LPG cylinders at subsidised rates during the period till March 31, 2013.

"There is no ambiguity on that," he told reporters here.

There is no restriction in the number of domestic non-subsidised cylinders that consumers can avail beyond the three subsidised LPG refill cylinders allowed in current year.

Effective April 1, 2013, LPG consumers can avail six domestic subsidised LPG refill cylinders per financial year.

There will be no restriction on the number of domestic non-subsidised cylinders that consumers can avail, beyond the six subsidised cylinders to meet their genuine demand. (MORE)