Though the state government had announced its decision to subsidise three LPG cylinders per family in addition to the six cylinders provided by the central government,the decision is yet to be implemented. As a result, a majority of the households are being forced to depend on LPG refilling at a non-subsidised rate.
The oil companies have made it clear that they will not give more than six subsided cylinders. “Now, we have the provision to give only six subsidised cylinders. To supply additional subsidised cylinders, we should get the direction from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,” said A Pandian, general manager of the Kerala State Office, Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has said that the state government is awaiting a favourable decision from the Centre by increasing the number of subsidised cylinders. The minister added that the Centre is planning to increase the number of subsidised cylinders to nine, and that is the reason why the state government is not providing the six cylinders in accordance with their earlier announcement.
“As the proposal is pending before the Cabinet, the state government will not give the subsidy. This is why the announcement of the number of subsidised cylinders is getting delayed,” he said.
The Prime Minister had recently hinted that the country may soon witness another round of fuel price hike. The indecisiveness of the central and state governments have added to the woes of the public who have now been forced to buy cylinders at non-subsidised rate.
“I have exhausted the six subsidised cylinders. But couple of days back, when I went for a subsidised refill, keeping in mind the announcement of the state government, I was unable to claim it. I had to pay full amount for the cylinder. Mine is a nine member family and people like us definitely require additional subsidised cylinders,” said Nandini, a resident of Kochi.