Every household in the country was in shock on Thursday evening as the Centre announced a move to restrict each consumer to six subsidized LPG cylinders a year, apart from a Rs 5 hike in diesel prices.
Any number of cylinders will be available over and above the cap of six cylinders at market rate. The number of subsidized LPG cylinders available to each consumer in the remaining part of the current financial year will be three cylinders.
Shivani M, a tuition teacher, said on hearing the news, “I use a cylinder every month. Even though we have an induction stove, that is no replacement for a gas stove.” Housewives, who generally use the gas stove more were worried about the impact it would have on the monthly household budget. Vasantha, a home maker, said, “We spend Rs 1000 for a cylinder if we fall short during the month. To shell out that amount for half the year is something I am worried about.”
Katherine Gordon, a primary school teacher, said that while she too uses 12 cylinders a year, her sister uses a cylinder every 15 days. “The move will really have an impact on the way we use gas cylinders. It is a really surprising and shocking decision,” she said. Rev Sarah Mathew too felt the same, adding, “Soon we too will have to shift to electric stoves like in the US.”
Others had a different view of the situation. Helen T, a teacher, said, “I personally am not too perturbed by this restriction. I believe that there are quite a few people who can afford the higher priced cylinders, hailing from the lower and upper middle classes. However, I did hear some talk that ministers and members of parliament are allowed substantially larger consignments, which I believe is totally unfair.”
S Sundaresan, a businessman, said, “This will affect the price of vegetables and fruits, as lorries run on diesel. When fuel price is hiked, ultimately it affects us middle class.”
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