Under pressure from his party, Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily today said the government is considering increasing the quota of subsidised LPG cylinders to 12 per household even as hints were dropped of a one-time hike in diesel and LPG rates.
Moily, who last week said there was no proposal to increase the quota from 9 cylinders per household to 12, today said the final decision on the issue will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA).
"I have read in newspapers about (Congress Vice President) Rahul Gandhi taking up the issue of increasing the LPG cap with the Prime Minister. I am yet to get comments from the Congress Vice President or the Prime Minister," he told reporters here.
Moily said 89.2% of the 15 crore LPG consumers use up to nine cylinders in a year and only 10 per cent have to buy the additional requirement at the market price.
If the quota is raised to 12, about 97% of the LPG consumers would be covered by subsidised LPG, he said.
Increasing the limit to 12 would result in an additional fuel subsidy burden of Rs 3,300 crore-5,800 crore for the government.
"If that proposal (for raising LPG cap) comes, we need to examine pros and cons. Ultimately, the decision will be taken by CCEA or CCPA," he said. "We are going to take a considered view... We are considering the suggestions." Oil Secretary Vivek Rae, talking to reporters with Moily on his side, said his ministry was moving Cabinet to ensure a minimum USD 65 per barrel is paid to oil and gas producers like ONGC from current USD 40-45 so that difficult oil could be explored and produced.
Raising the price for producers means the subsidy the government bears on fuel supplies would rise.
