Only TBJP MLAs to surrender LPG subsidy

Hyderabad: It seems there are not many takers for the call given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people’s representatives to surrender their LPG subsidy in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

A reality check by The Hans India has shown that barring five TBJP MLAs, no one else has so far volunteered to give up subsidy on LPG. MLAs of Congress, TDP and CPI did not show much enthusiasm towards the appeal.

While the T Congress party feels that Union Government should make a law barring all those who are above poverty line from availing the benefit of subsidy, the TDP floor leader E Dayakar Rao simply said, “Modi’s appeal is a welcome step.” All that he said was that so far the TDP MLAs had not applied their mind towards the issue as they were busy with other issues.

Lone CPI member in the Telangana Assembly Ravindra Kumar dubbed the NDA government’s move as a ploy to deprive the poor and middle class people of the cooking gas subsidy. “It is welcome if affluent people give up the subsidy voluntarily. But this shall not turn into an excuse for depriving the middle class people of the useful subsidy,” Kumar said.

It may be recalled that in his address to the Energy Summit on March 27, Modi had appealed to “those who can afford,” to give up the subsidy. Those who want to give up subsidy should contact their dealer and fill a form and opt for gas at commercial rate.