Differences within Jharkhand BJP over LPG subsidy
By IANSTuesday, April 6, 2010
RANCHI - The Jharkhand government’s decision to withdraw subsidy on gas cylinders for domestic use has brought to the open the internal squabbling within the Bharatiya Janata Party, a partner in the Shibu Soren-led coalition government.
On the first day of the new fiscal, finance minister Raghubar Das, who is also the state BJP president and deputy chief minister, said a subsidy of Rs.40 given per cylinder had been withdrawn.
But when the opposition made a hue and cry over the decision, Das announced a subsidy of Rs.11 per cylinder.
The food and supply ministry, headed by fellow BJP member Barkuwar Gagrai, however, did not notify the decision on reducing the subsidy.
On the contrary, Gagrai Tuesday told reporters: “The notification of giving subsidy of Rs.11 per cylinder has been put on hold as the government is considering rolling back the decision on withdrawal of subsidy.”
But Das said: “The state government has limited resources. The central government should provide subsidy on LPG gas cylinder.”
Opposition parties are looking at the division within the BJP with glee.
“The BJP has made price hike a national issue and now the BJP government in Jharkhand is ensuring hike in prices of LPG gas cylinders,” Shailesh Sinha, Jharkhand Congress general secretary told IANS.
