The government was considering requests from various quarters to increase the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders for domestic use from the present six cylinders a year, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M. Veerappa Moily said on Friday.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said: “Even with a cap of six cylinders, the subsidy burden per annum is Rs. 36,000 crore [to the government]…We do agree that there is demand for increase. But on the question of how much to be increased, I will be discussing it with the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister.”
“We are considering it [refixing the cap] and we require a few days time to consider,” he said.
The last date for submitting Know-Your-Customer (KYC) forms to gas agencies was extended till December 31, 2012. The officials were told to explore the possibility of collecting the KYC forms directly from homes.
Sudip Bandhopadhyaya (Trinamool Congress) wanted the government to refix the cap at 24 LPG cylinders.
Earlier, the House witnessed pandemonium for some time when slogan- shouting members of the Trinamool, led by Kalyan Banerjee, stormed into the well, seeking reconsideration of the cap on LPG subsidy.
Members of the JD(U), BJP, Shiromoni Akali Dal, Left parties and other Opposition parties too joined in the protest.