Indian PM calls on well-off people to give up subsidized cooking gas

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to the well-off people to give up subsidized cooking gas while expressing his government's resolve to reduce dependence on energy imports by 10 percent by 2022.

Stressing on energy security, Modi said India will have to be independent in this area and seek new avenues to replenish existing sources in a bid to serve the growing appetite of the people. "We need to be independent when it comes to providing our people with energy," Modi said, while inaugurating the "Urja Sangam - 2015" conference on energy security.

He pitched for people who are well-off to surrender their fuel subsidy entitlement.

"People who don't need LPG (liquified petroleum gas) subsidy and those who are capable of managing without it should give it up. I ask you to join this movement. Give up gas subsidy. Create a record. The subsidy that you will give up will go a long way in benefiting the poor people," he said.

The Indian government spends huge amount on subsidizing cooking gas to keep its price low for households. Endi