Within hours of Rahul Gandhi demanding that the quota for subsidised LPG cylinders be hiked from nine to 12 per household per year, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily announced that the cap would be raised.
But Mr. Moily was quick to add that “the matter will be taken to the Cabinet, which will take a final decision on the issue.”
Speaking at the AICC session here on Friday, Mr. Gandhi said: “Pradhan mantri-ji (Prime Minister Sir), we cannot make do with just nine subsidised LPG cylinders. Women in this country need more. We need 12 per family, Sir, please increase the quota.”
As soon as Mr. Gandhi concluded his speech, Mr. Moily said the quota of subsidised cylinders would be raised from nine to 12, a move that is likely to put an additional burden of Rs. 3,300 crore to Rs. 5,300 crore on the exchequer in the form of subsidy.
Officials in the Petroleum Ministry said a formal proposal would now be moved for consideration before either the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) or the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).