Karunanidhi demands BJP to revoke suspension of gas subsidy

Chennai

In a strongly worded statement here, Mr Karunanidhi also demanded that the Centre must also revoke the decision to cancel the subsidy for kerosene and urea.   

The former state chief minister said at present the Centre is providing necessary amount as subsidy for kerosene  to the state governments. For instance, the Centre has also increased the subsidy of Urea to Rs 73 crore in the present financial year from Rs 18,500,00,000 crore(Rs18 lakh, 500 crore) in 2005-2006, he pointed out.

The DMK chief said at present 14.2 kg gas cylinder is being provided at a subsidised rate of Rs 406.76 in Chennai and without the subsidy, it is being sold at Rs 622.50. The families were allotted 12 cylinders at a subsided rate in a year.  The Petroleum Ministry in a recent  statement said that if the income ceiling of individuals or life partners exceeds Rs 10 lakh in a year, they are not entitled to get subsidy in gas cylinders, which is grossly unfair, Mr Karunanidhi rued.