THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Consumers in Kerala have lost Rs 1,050.46 crore so far this year when the central government stopped subsidy on domestic cooking gas under the guise of the Covid pandemic! This is the amount that should have reached the bank accounts of 80.70 lakh beneficiaries in the state. Many consumers have approached gas agencies inquiring about the subsidy. Even though the employees say that the subsidy has been stopped, many are not able to believe it.

The Centre stopped providing subsidy for domestic consumers from May 2020 following the introduction of the lockdown. The one-year subsidy was limited to nine cylinders. The Centre had also requested affluent families to give up the subsidy. It's just that most people didn't notice it in the commotion of Covid and the stimulus packages.

There are 85.2 lakh domestic consumers in the state. Of that, 4.5 lakh people accepted the Centre's request and gave up the subsidy. Most of the remaining 80.70 lakh consumers are expecting the subsidy money to come into their accounts today or tomorrow.

Earlier, domestic customers used to receive subsidy up to 40 percent of the price per cylinder. This benefit came at a time when gas prices were rising sharply. The last subsidy was 20.64% of the price in April 2020.

Month -------- Price ------ Subsidy ---- --- 80.70 lakhs

January ------ 703 ----------- 140.6 ------------ Rs 113,46,42,000 Rs

February - 778 ------------ 155.6 ----------- Rs 125,55,92,000

March ---------- 828.50 --------- 165.7 ----------- Rs 133,71,99,000

April ------- 818.50 -------- 163.7 ---------- Rs 132,10,59,000

May ------------ 818.50 --------- 163.7 ---------- Rs 132,10,59,000

June ----------- 818.50 --------- 163.7 ----------- Rs 132,10,59,000

July ------ 844 -------------- 168.8 ------------ Rs 136,22,16,000

August -------- 869.50 ---------- 179.9 ------------ Rs 145,17,93,000

Total ---------------------------------------------- Rs 1050,46,19,000

The Ujjwala Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister in connection with the cessation of subsidies. For those below the poverty line, the government will provide Rs 1,600 for gas connections and interest-free loans for gas stoves and cylinders. They also have no subsidy. Many of these people, who could not afford to pay the higher price, stopped buying the cylinder.