DMK chief slams Centre's decision on LPG subsidy

Chennai, Dec 31: DMK President M Karunanidhi today lashed out at the Centre's decision to remove LPG subsidy for tax payers with annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh, saying it was a "condemnable and unwanted" move.

Referring to the Petroleum Ministry's announcement in this regard, he said there was an apprehension that urea and kerosene could be next in line, with the likelihood of their subsidy being cut which, he said, would affect the poor and farmers.

By phasing out subsidy, the government was trying to create an impression in the mind of consumers that "subsidy is no big deal," and that it was planning to sell such products at market rates in the name of economic reforms, he said in a statement.

"Due to the wrong policies of the BJP government, economy is on a downslide. Already 60 lakh persons have voluntarily given up LPG subsidy following government's appeal. Cancelling LPG subsidy is a condemnable and unwanted decision," he said.

The DMK President sought immediate withdrawal of the decision and also urged the Centre to drop any plans to cut urea and kerosene subsidy.

PTI