LPG price hike: Union minister wants reconsideration

New Delhi, Jan 2: The decision to hike the price of non-subsidised

today triggered opposition with senior minister Vayalar Ravi seeking its reconsideration.

"It is quite natural that people will protest against this decision. Government should think about a solution to address the people's concern," Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He was responding when asked about the decision yesterday to effect a steep hike of Rs 220 per cylinder of non-subsidised LPG. Ravi said he will convey his sentiment to Oil and Petroleum Minister Verappa Moily. This is the third increase in non-subsidised LPG rates in the past month.

The price was hiked by Rs 63 a cylinder to Rs 1,017.50 on December 1. It was increased by a further Rs 3.50 to Rs 1,021 on December 11, when the government raised the commission for LPG dealers and distributors. Asked about the order of the Supreme Court that Aadhaar card should not be linked to subsidies, Ravi replied, "how can we bypass the Supreme Court"?

He said, "Moily is a good lawyer and he knows all legal aspects". The government had in September 2012 capped the supply of subsidised domestic LPG cylinders to six per household in a year. The quota was raised to nine cylinders per household in a year in January 2013. Any requirement above this limit has to be purchased at market rates. There is no restriction on the number of non-subsidised cylinders that a consumer can buy.

PTI