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Is cooking gas really subsidized in India?
LPG has been traditionally considered subsidised, it has also been claimed that it is the cooking energy of the affluent. But fact is that over a period of time, LPG has become the fuel, not just of the upper but also of the middle and the lower income households.
The average use of gas is roughly one cylinder each month by a household in India and comes to about Rs 300 - 400 depending on the city you are in. This has been considered as subsidized by the oil companies who claim to be sustaining the burden.
LPG penetration is in lower-middle households, where usage is increasing but purchasing power is not. The current “subsidy” is still inadequate to meet the cooking gas needs of a vast majority of people. In this situation, claiming it to be subsidized and increasing LPG costs will only add to the burden of the middle and lower income householdes.
Though a cooking gas cylinder is generally considered subsidized, my thoughts went back to all the times when I have applied for a gas connection.
A standard new gas connection, before the current hike was supposed to be available for INR 850. I had ended up paying INR 3500 everywhere where I got the new connection. Though the aditional money was not asked as bribe, I was forced to buy a plethora of commodities like a cooking stove, 5 kg of rice, utensils etc. When I outrightly refused to “buy” these commodities, I was told that buying them was mandatory. When I went to apply for a new cylinder recently, I was curtly told the price would be INR 1200, even though the actual price was 800. I was again made to buy INR 400 worth of other commodities. When I ask for a refill cylinder, it is not delivered unless I pay the delivery boy INR 100 in advance.
So my question is where is the subsidy? I am now left with two cooking stoves and 5 kg of rice that will probably go waste (I am a roti-eater) and more utensils to add to the mess of my kitchen. And worst is, I had to pay for those. So Mr P Chidambaram, when you increase my tax do let me know the reason, because cooking gas for me is NOT subsidized, neither for a new connection, nor for a refill.
By the way, after the current hike, the security deposit has gone up from Rs 850 to Rs 1250. The cost of gas regulator has also been raised to Rs 150 as against Rs 100 a piece earlier.
My name is not relevant and I am the Angry Indian
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3 Responses to “Is cooking gas really subsidized in India?”
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I agree. Though for the government it is subsidized, when it reaches the consumer it is costly. Misuse of LPG for commercial purposes is going on in large scale which the government is not able to eradicate.LPG users must optimize the use of LPG by avoiding wastage of LPG.
Here are some cooking tips to reduce wastage of LPG:
1.once water starts boiling or steam starts coming reduce the flame to minimum.
2.Periodically clean the gas burners.
3.Do not do open cooking. Cover the utensils as far as possible while heating to maximise heating.
4.Plan your cooking. Light the stove only when you are fully prepared for cooking.
From : seafarersman@indiatimes.com
Subject: Senior citizens cry for justice. To: hcourt@tn.nic.in Wed, Jul 30, 2008 06:36 PM
1 attachment
Through Honourable Selvi R.Mala, Registrar General,Madras High Court
Tel : 91 - 044 -25340410 ________________________________________
Chief Justice A K Ganguly.doc
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Honourable Justice A K Ganguly, 29-07-2008.
His Excellency, The Chief Justice of Madras High Court,
Senior Citizen’s plight for justice and protection of the Sanctity of Courts.
Case Study. Cheque bounce case. CC827/06, with Saidapet XXIII Court, Chennai.
Please promote dignity across not just democracy, by battling the immediate evils and promoting the ultimate good. We expect fair and timely delivery of justice, Sir. Those who drag the case cunningly with extended times to be severely punished. If we literates and enlightened citizens don’t value “ TIME ” The accused, meanwhile, multiplies the innocents hard-earned money. Please have mercy on the innocents who have no political link gets neglected, continues to incur money, effort and time to recover my hard-earned money.
CASE STUDY
10th September 2004. Rupees One Lakh Cash paid to Mr.K R Ramamurthy, to meet his emergent needs, after my breaking a Fixed –Deposit. He promised me to pay cash earlier itself and take back his Post Dated Cheque No. 542212 dt. 20-03-2005, of Indian Bank, Raja Annamalaipuram East, Chennai-600028, assuring that he can never forget this kind help but a friendly betrayal.
After lapse of six long months i.e. 3 days prior to cashing the cheque, Mr.K R Ramamurthy approached me ( i.e. 16th March 2005 ) asking me not to present the cheque for realization but for upto 14th April 2005, for which I did ask him to put a written request, accordingly he gave me a written letter of request dated the 17th March 2005. Subsequently, he sent me an e-mail, asking me to present on the 19th April 2005. Despite the waiting, the same when presented for realization, bounced back for insufficient funds. The same notified to Mr.K.R. Ramamurthy, who regretted for the same in words and promised to make payment soon, as he said, “ expecting the settlement of his partition dues, pertaining to his parental property at Madurai”, and a flat for his disposal in Kodambakkam, while his wife is the President of the Flat owners association where he lives. After which he was only giving dates and alas I was constrained to recover my hard-earned money through the court of law. Later on from verification of credentials, I came to know that whatever he said were all false. His family is on rent and therefore the question of his wife being the President of the Flat owners Assoc. doesn’t at all arise. My earlier vision of Mr. Ramamurthy being from a respectable family turned out to be a well planned cheat, trying to earn in short cuts, making use of the loopholes in the system. He has his own specialized advocate, influencing with politicians of the ruling government (previously and at present) etc. He gets exempted from attending courts, availing all means of delay tactics, which includes delaying in the listing of the file suit onwards, use of liberal adjournments, applying for quash petition(which was dismissed by the Honourable Justice K N Basha Crl.O.P. No.25241 of 2006 and M.P.No.1 of 2006 (Re-Criminal Original Petition filed under Sec.484 of Cr.P.C. to call for the records and quash the proceedings in C.C. No.827 of 2006, on the file of the learned XXIII Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet, Chennai-600015). The case was at the defence stage admittedly the complainants witness was over, no justification for entertaining the quashing petition. QUASHING PETITION IS DISMISSED AS DEVOID OF MERITS. The learned XXXIII Metropolitan Magistrate was further directed to expedite the trial as expeditiously as possible and more particularly within a period of five months from the date of receipt of this order (24-07-2007). Then on, the advocates of either side colluded. Adjournments continued liberally as the accused was exempted from attending court hearing dates, while self a heart patient declared hyper-tension and lost his job on medical grounds in 1993, while with the Govt.’s, Shipping Corporation of India Ltd; and continue to be under treatment from then on. Regularly attending courts to recover my hard-earned money, put into hardships by the harassment and caused humiliation, during the course of my attempts to recover my money.
On 30-11.2007, my Case No. CC No.827/06, referred to LOK ADALAT saying for instant order. Both sides present. The matter settled at Rs.1,05,000/- only towards full and final settlement with initial payment of Rs.50,000/-and balance of Rs.55,000(rupees fifty five thousand only), on or before 26-02-2008, failing which the complainant is entitled to recover the case amount with interest at 10% from the date of default by filing an E.P. Ungrateful person K R Ramamoorthy, did not turn up, to pay my dues. Contempt of Court taken lightly. While SBI, Canara Bank pays 10.25%, KarnatakaBank pays 10.5% interest to senior citizens, in dignified manner.
27-02-2008. Been to Lok Adalat Office,Saidapet. Supdt. said file an EP as per the judgement of the Lok Adalat Judge. Changing advocate Giritharan, entrusted Advocate Mrs.Anuradha (Mobile No.9840669363) on 06-03-2008, who filed on 27th March 2008. Later my advocate informed, Concerned Court Clerk on leave, Court on vacation, file called for from Saidapet XXIII Court etc. On 20-06-2008, Personally been to Saidapet and on query XXIII Court Bench Clerk informed that the records are their in 1st Floor. The Head Clerk there asked Mr. Hamid i/c.records clerk, who verified and said that the file is in tact with his custody and no court has called for the same. Rushed to Madras High Court and on enquiry with the E.P. Section revealed that my file was of late returned back to my present advocate, to file the same in Saidapet Criminal Court.
Checking up with my present advocate ( Mrs.Anuradha-Mobile No.9840669363), she said that the E.P. was returned to file back in XXIII Court where it will be re-opened. Affidavit filed for re-opening CC827/06 in my presence, by representative of my advocate(Mr.Elamparithi advocate) and same admitted saying adjourned for 22-07-2008, Same advocate Elamparithi, when appeared he was asked by the same honourable magistrate XXIII Court as to where is the provision for re-opening this case CC827/2006? go to Lok Adalat and find out, adjourning again for the 29th July 2008. This time my advocate deputed another Advocate G.Ramesh, as her junior who was ignorant of the case background, the honourable magistrate repeated the same asking provision for admitting the case for re-opening, adjourning for 6th Aug. 2008. Please note. Self(complainant)put in a state of confusion, for a solution.
If, my lawyer was not aware of the legal system and come un-prepared to represent my case. Why could not the court penalize the lawyer? Why punish me by liberal adjournments? While the Courts are considered as saviors of democracy and to an extent responsible for reining over the Police.
The accused, manages to take exemption to appear, accused treated better, by his good acting as he knows the loopholes to feed the lower rungs of police and courts and getaway. Hence, the criminals allowed to flourish and prosper by unlawful means. THE ACCUSED IS AT LARGE. Please come to the rescue of this innocent senior citizen, at least for instilling justice and sanctity of the courts.
(Sd.)
Dr. P.K.Chandran, Ph.D; MBA; D.Sc; FIE(INDIA), MSNAME(USA), PgDIMS(UK).
M107-05, Prefab Apts., 29th Cross Street, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600090.
From,
Dr.P.K.Chandran,Ph.D;MBA;FIE(I);C.Eng:PgDIMS;MSNAME(USA)M107-22, TNHB Prefabs
29th Cross Street, Besant-Nagar, CHENNAI-600090. (Ph): 42018982. 9840084216. FellowMember : Indian Institute of Plant Engineers, Institution of Engineers(India).
United Writers Association, Life Member:Indian Institute of Occupational Health, and Institute of Standards Engineers, Corporate Member: CHENNAI PRESS CLUB.
To Dated: 02-02-2008
The Commissioner of Police, Metropolitan City of Chennai, CHENNAI-600 008.
Dear Sir,
I am constrained to inform your good self, of the following:-
I’m a retired Chief Engineer(Marine). I know Mr.K.R. Ramamurthy residing in Ayodhya Flats-A/7, No.34, South Canal Road, Mandavelli, Chennai-600028, ten years back, from the time I joined as a member of the All India Freelance Journalists Association, since I had a flair in writing. Later known that his advertisement in the newspapers, a self styled organization with a purpose to collect membership fees and cheat public. If an association, no bye-laws, nor any meeting conducted. On my return from higher studies in England, UK when I renewed my membership that I got in touch with him, as earlier it was all in correspondence, enrolling and renewing membership. When I met him, he expressed in a great financial trouble and asked me a loan of Rupees One Lakh, in September 2004, he said that his wife is the President of the Flat Owners Association, his two siblings of which, son recently got a job in the gulf and that his daughter doing her final year degree. He was maintaining a moderately furnished office, in one of the room of his apartment. He expressed, he will easily get away from the financial constraints caused by the New Year 2005, none of his close and near dear ones could then help and hence totally relying me in gentleman terms, promising to return the money by March 2005. Believing him, I broke my Fixed Deposit with my Bank and paid him in cash and in return, he gave me the post-dated Cheque No.542212 of Indian Bank, East Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai-600028. He Assured me that he will positively return my money in time and he can never forget this help in his life. When the payment day was approaching, three days ahead, Mr. K R Ramamurthy came to my place i.e.16th March 2005 to request me, not to present the cheque on the due date (20th March 2005), but to hold up till the 14th April 2005. Asked him, to therefore give me in writing and accordingly he gave me a letter dated the 17th march 2005. Subsequently, sent me an e-mail (copies of the said communication attached) asking me to present on the 19th April 2005. The same when presented, bounced back having not honoured for insufficient funds. Notified this to Mr.K R Ramamurthy, who regretted for the same in words and promised to make payment soon, as he is expecting the settlement of his partition dues of parental property at Madurai, and a flat for his disposal in Kodambakkam, ie. even if in case his son has not arranged. Till date, he has been giving dates and betraying me, causing concern during my unemployment days of retirement, as I now learn that he does not own a flat but instead living as a tenant for long. Discussion in the neighborhood reveals that he is cheating the banks as well. Hence, suspect that he has cheating motive right from the beginning, since all that he has been saying proven false.
Please note that I have parted my hard-earned money on trust in Sept.2004 and he has been betraying me. When approached the court for justice, it has initially taken almost six months as adjournment period for listing(numbering itself) and then the delay in adjournments, the accused took all means of delay tactics includes quash petition of the accused which was dismissed by the Honourable Mr.Justice K N Basha, Crl.O.P.No.25241 of 2006 and M.P.No.1of 2006. (Re-Criminal Original Petition filed under Sec.482 of Cr.P.C. to call for the records and quash the proceedings in C.C.No.827 of 2006, on the file of the learned XXIII Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet, Chennai-15). The case was at the defence stage admittedly the complainant’s witness is over, no justification for entertaining the quashing petition. Quashing petition is dismissed as devoid of merits. The learned XXXIII Metropolitan Magistrate is further directed to expedite the trial as expeditiously as possible and more particularly within a period of five months from the date of receipt of this order ( 24-07-2007 ). On 30-11.2007, my Case No. CC No.827/06, referred to LOK ADALAT saying for instant order. Both sides present. The matter settled at Rs.1,05,000/- towards full and final settlement with initial payment of Rs.50,000/-and balance of Rs.55,000(rupees fifty five thousand only), on or before 26-02-2008, failing which the complainant is entitled to recover the case amount with interest at 10% from the date of default by filing an E.P. Ungrateful person K R Ramamoorthy, did not turn up, to pay my dues. How long and how much time and money should I keep spending to recover my hard-earned money?
Please note the loss sustained by self, by breaking my Fixed Deposit in 2004 and helping a person, believing his words on sympathy and the harassment and humiliation meted out, payment of over Rs.20,000 to my advocate, to collect a sum of rupees one lakh parted, further the amount of time and efforts spent for its recovery from 2005 and continue to be. Being a blood pressure and diabetic patient,
Since 1993, self a 61 year old man, making regular appearance to courts for recovery of my hard-earned money whereas the accused manages to take exemption to appear, the accused is treated better, since he knows the loopholes to getaway and hence the criminals are allowed to flourish and prosper by unlawful means.
Concern rightly expressed (The Hindu, Page 12 of 24th February 2008)for the agonizing delay for the knock in the doors for justice a frustrating experience, by his Excellency the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, voicing concern over delay in dispensing justice. Wherelse, than LAW AND ORDER, can this humble simple 61 year old man seek justice to recover his hard-earned money.
Yours Faithfully,
P.K.Chandran.