SHILLONG, May 22 - Over 3.6 lakh individuals in the North East have voluntarily given up LPG subsidy. Assam led the list with close to two lakh people giving up their subsidy.
Meghalaya has the poorest contribution among the Northeastern States in voluntarily giving up LPG subsidy. Just 7,404 people in the State gave up their LPG subsidy, which is the lowest number amongst the eight NE States.
Under the �GiveItUp� campaign, over one crore individuals gave up their LPG subsidy as on May 1 this year throughout the country. Maharashtra topped the list with over 16 lakh individuals giving up their subsidy followed by UP with 12 lakh and Karnataka over 7 lakh.
In fact, Meghalaya�s contribution towards success of the campaign was fifth from the bottom in India, just ahead of Lakshwadeep, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Apart from Assam, over 46,123 people in Manipur, 43,854 in Mizoram, 31,233 in Nagaland, 22,713 in Arunachal Pradesh, 17,047 in Tripura and 7,693 in Sikkim gave up their subsidies.
Domestic LPG cylinders are subsidised by the Government. The present NDA Government began this initiative to encourage those with a healthy income (annual income of Rs 10 lakh and above) to give up the subsidy and buy LPG at market price.
Several celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan have supported this campaign. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gases has also said that those giving up the subsidy can again re-apply for the subsidy after a year if they so desire.
Meanwhile, there is an acute shortage of LPG cylinders in the State Capital. Top officials from the Indian Oil Corporation would be convening a meeting here tomorrow to streamline supplies.
