The decision to increase subsidised LPG cylinders to 12 a year beats all logic, as corroborated by the Reserve Bank of India governor. For an average family, one cylinder runs for almost two months, that is six cylinders a year. Any further purchase by the household at market rate will increase the fuel cost only marginally. The entitlement of 12 cylinders will tempt the household to sell the surplus cylinders in the market. Moreover, the argument that this decision will help counter inflation is contentious to say the least. If the government really wanted to check inflation, it could have taken steps when the apex court exhorted it to release foodgrains from godowns. If the government had made some symbolic releases, the prices of of foodgrains would have come down, reducing food inflation. The government of the day has created more problems for the next government in its desperation to lure voters.
Naresh Saxena New Delhi
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