LPG has become one of the basic necessities of life. In the early years of independence, the system of subsidizing LPG must have been started with a good intention. The standard of living of the majority of the people was low and most people probably could not afford to buy LPG refills at the market rate. Now people are relatively better off. It is rather ludicrous that the richest industrialist and a hawker in the street both enjoy subsidy.
The people, who can pay, must pay; this is one of the basic principles of public finance. If the government were to issue an executive order withdrawing subsidy to those who are in the higher income brackets, there would have been protests by the ‘guardians of the poor’ and they would have staged dharnas and picketed in front of the houses of the ministers. Therefore the PM has taken a right decision by appealing to the conscience of the persons belonging to the upper middle class and the rich to give up subsidy voluntarily. His appeal has salutary effect; many business houses have requested their employees to surrender their LPG subsidy. If this money could be put to a better use, and help in the nation building efforts of the government, forgoing the LPG subsidy is but small a sacrifice to make.
SND Poojary, Miramar
