A day after Election Commission rap, OilMinister M Veerappa Moily today said the government has not yet taken anydecision on raising cap on supply of subsidised LPG cylinders and the EC wouldhave been informed before announcing any decision.
"If the proposals had been concretised and it was to be announced ordecision was to be taken... I would have definitely written to ElectionCommission of India," Moily told reporters here.
Moily said the government had consistently maintained that the decision to capsupply of subsidised cooking gas (LPG) to six cylinders per household in a yearis under review following widespread demands and he had reiterated the sameposition in reply to media queries on sidelines of a CII function hereyesterday.
"Not that I would like to do anything for political gain behind the backof Election Commission. That is not our intention. We are very clear about it.We are very transparent and objective about it," he said.
Election Commission had taken a strong exception to Moily's statements ahead ofthe elections in Gujarat, that the cap would be increased to nine cylinders,and sought his explanation.
In his formal response, Moily said: "The Government is yet to take adecision in the matter. As such my response to media queries... should not betreated as an announcement regarding decision of the government."
"I would like to assure you that due regard to the applicable rules andprocedures of the Election Commission of India shall be given as and when adecision in this regard is taken by the government," he wrote.
Talking to reporters, Moily said there have been widespread demands includingfrom about 100 Congress MPs, several chief ministers and union ministers, forrevisiting the decision as only six cylinders per household was "notpractical and away from reality".
"Concerns had to be addressed today or tomorrow. But at the same time, Iam conscious that I would not have done anything without writing to theElection Commission of India," he added.