EC asks Government to stop increase the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders
New Delhi: Taking cognisance of reports of the Centre’s move ahead of Gujarat assembly polls to increase the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, the Election Commission has directed it to stop the same forthwith.
The EC, at its meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath, decided to write to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry asking it to immediately stop the move which came just ahead of the Gujarat assembly elections and at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in force there.
The first phase of Gujarat poll is on December 13 and the second and final phase on December 17.
Announcing the government’s plan to raise the cap on LPG cylinders, Moily told reporters that “I think it is likely to go up definitely from six (cylinders) to 9 (cylinders).”
Government had in September capped the supply of subsidised LPG to six cylinders per household in a year. Any additional requirement is to be bought at market price of Rs 931 per 14.2-kg bottle. Subsidised LPG costs Rs 410.50 per cylinder at present.
