Subsidy on kerosene, LPG to continue after April

haldia, west bengal: union minister for petroluem and natural gas ram naik on wednesday said that subsidy on kerosene and lpg, though fractionally lower, would continue even after dismantling of the administered price mechanism (apm) from april 1 this year. the minister, who was here to inaugurate new facilities of indian oil corporation, also said that the process for dismantling apm was in the final stage and a bill regarding this would be introduced early in the budget session beginning on february 25."even after dismantling of apm from april 1 this year subsidy would continue on kerosene and lpg," naik said, thus bringing to an end all speculations regarding continuation of subsidy on the two petroleum products after april 1 this year when apm would no longer exist. the subsidy on kerosene would, however, be brought down from present 37 per cent to 33 per cent, he said. the domestic lpg would continue to enjoy 15 per cent subsidy, naik said adding, "it is not possible to do away with it (subsidy on lpg) in one stroke." the current subsidy on lpg would be adjusted in next three to five years, he clarified. he said that all preparations for dismantling apm were now in last phase and a bill, which was drafted, would now be sent to the law ministry for vetting. after clearance from law minister, the draft would be sent to the union cabinet for approval and subsequently introduced in parliament in the first part of the budget session, he said.