Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to the affluent to give up LPG subsidy has not been wholly embraced, particularly in Karnataka. Only 25,248 customers have heeded the clarion call, and this translates to a Rs. 15-crore annual saving.
Across the country 4.4 lakh customers have opted out of the subsidy, as against the Centre’s expectation that at least one crore of the nearly 15.3 crore customers would opt out.
In some pockets, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have taken the initiative to motivate customers to give up subsidy. The number of customers responding to the call is comparatively high in places represented by BJP MPs.
For instance, in Dakshina Kannada district, 696 HP gas customers and 177 Bharatgas customers have given up subsidy. In Udupi, 664 HP Gas customers and 160 Bharatgas customers have opted out. (District-wise data of Indane customers was not available).
In Kodagu 1,169 customers of HP Gas have responded to the call.
Pralhad Joshi, Lok Sabha member and BJP State president, told The Hindu that the BJP has already given a call to workers, who can afford to buy LPG cylinders at market price. “Besides that, we will be spreading awareness among the public during our Mahasamparka Abhiyana, a one-month programme scheduled to begin in June,” he said.
A section of people are opposed to the idea of giving up subsidy. A. Dharmesh, CPI(M) leader in Hassan, taking exception to Mr. Modi’s call said, “There are people who are opposed to any kind of subsidy. They oppose if poor are given rice at subsidised price or LPG at subsidised rate. The BJP is trying to cash in on that feeling and arrive at a point where there is no need of subsidy for anything. It is the duty of the government to ensure people get basic needs. If everyone has to buy essential items at market price, there is no need of a government”.
S. Vijay Kumar, a resident of Vidya Nagar in Hassan, said he would not give up subsidy.
“Our Prime Minister wears suits worth crores of rupees; what moral right has he to ask us to give up the Rs. 200 subsidy?” he said.
