Decision on LPG in Maharashtra before Diwali: Jayant Patil

The Maharashtra government is likely to take the decision on increasing the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders from six to nine before Diwali, state finance minister Jayant Patil said today.

"Soon the proposal drafted by food and civil supplies department will come before the cabinet," Patil told reporters here.

The decision was likely to be taken before Diwali, he said. "Decision on approval of increasing cap will be taken by next week."

Recently, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had indicated that people would soon get "good news" on LPG.

On the threat by NCP, his own party, that it will take to the streets if the government did not decide quickly on the matter, Patil said, "It is the prerogative of chief minister Chavan to take (a) decision."

About the burden on the state exchequer because of additional cylinders, Patil said, "The state government will bear an appropriate burden."

Meanwhile, a senior Congress minister said on the condition of anonymity that if the government goes ahead by increasing the cap on cooking gas cylinders, there will be a 50% cut in the spend on developmental projects.