6.73 lakh LPG consumers have given up subsidy

Ever since the Central government announced the Give It Up scheme for LPG where consumers gave up subsidy on refills, a total of 6,73,347 families in the State have opted for the scheme. In July 2015, the number of persons who gave up subsidy on cylinder refills was 1,01,354 in the State.

“Each month, an average of around 10,200 consumers of the three oil majors are giving up the subsidy. Through our sustained campaign, people use the option on the IVRS mode and also go online to opt out of getting subsidy,” explained an oil industry source. Tamil Nadu has 1.01 crore active LPG consumers.

However, there are consumers who get back to the respective oil companies to reverse the opting out. “Some say they have pressed the wrong entry on the IVRS mode and request us and we do oblige them. There are also still a small section of consumers who have not linked their bank accounts with Aadhar numbers and the 17-digit LPG ID. They also do not get subsidy,” the official explained.

This month, the cost of a non-subsidised refill went up by Rs. 86 from last month when it was Rs. 661 in Chennai. The present rate of a subsidised refill is Rs. 422.43 and that of non-subsidised Rs. 746.50 in the city.