Chennai: Indian Oil Corporation is uploading the names of its customers who have opted out of subsidy for cooking gas cylinders of its Indane brand, on its website in a bid to encourage more affluent sections of the people to follow suit.
So far, 1,470 consumers of Indane have given up the subsidy after the company recently launched its "nation building campaign," by sending text messages to consumers asking them to give up the subsidy.
"We appreciate your action of opting out of subsidy. It truly demonstrates your care and concern towards the less privileged. Your example will surely motivate millions. Annual savings accrued till now is Rs 88,20,000," the Indane website says in its 'Scroll of Honour' section.
The scroll provides details such as names and states of consumers who have opted out of the subsidy scheme like their
Indane has been sending SMS to its consumers, "Want to join nation building? Its simple - just give up LPG subsidy. Visit www.Indane.Co.In for details."
The public sector oil major was contemplating on other communication avenues to reach out to consumers who could afford to pay the market prices, IOC Senior Corporate Communications Manager V Vetriselvakumar told PTI.
"The SMS to consumers is one part of the campaign and we are in initial stages. We are exploring other options as well. The idea is to effectively reach out to consumers."
If about one crore affluent consumers across the country presently availing subsidised LPG from State-run Oil Marketing Companies give up subsidy, there is a potential to save approximately Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 crore, he added.
Presently the subsidised domestic LPG costs Rs 401 per 14.2 kg cylinder while the non-subsidised Rs 922 in Chennai.
Faced with growing subsidy burden, the previous UPA Government had put a cap on domestic subsidised cylinders at nine per house hold for year but withdrew it in January this year after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi made a demand for it.
