More than 1 crore LPG consumers have stopped using subsidised cooking gas ,since Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a call to the well-heeled to give up their cooking gas subsidies. About 1, 00, 06,303 LPG consumers have given up their cooking gas subsidies in one year helping the exchequer save a few thousand crores of rupees in doles, as per oil ministry data. The surrendered subsidy is used by the government to provide cooking gas connection to the poor in rural households free of cost.
Giving up subsidised LPG will help cut the government's subsidy bill, which was at Rs 30,000 crore on the fuel last fiscal. These gas cylinders surrendered would be transferred to the poor who use wood for cooking. Consumers who have decided to give up their subsidies have to buy the product at the market price. At present, consumers are currently entitled to 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each or 34 bottles of 5 kg each in a year at subsidised rates. A subsidised 14.2-kg cylinder is currently available at Rs 419.13 per bottle in Delhi while the 5-kg pack costs Rs 155. Market-priced LPG is available at Rs 509.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder.
On March 27, 2015, Modi had launched the 'Give-it-Up' campaign, urging the well-off to surrender their LPG subsidy so that it can be targeted for the needy. The aim is also to bring down the country's dependence on energy imports by 10 percent by 2022.