Question : Fossil Fuel

(a) whether the report prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Oil Change International (OCI), and Fundacion Ambientey Recursos Naturales (FARN) indicates India as emerging as a global example in doing away with subsidy for fossil fuels and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether subsidy to fossil fuels is often perceived as a perpetrator of energy inequality across the world;
(c) if so, whether subsidy is benefiting the rich rather than the poorest members of society and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether energy companies, investors and insurers have written to G20 countries to end subsidy to fossil fuels by 2030,if so the details thereof; and
(e) whether India has undertaken substantial reforms in subsidy to fossil fuels and if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c): The report prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Oil Change International (OCI), and Fundacion Ambientey Recursos Naturales (FARN) has not been referred and examined in the Ministry of Coal.

(d): No Such information is available with the Ministry of Coal.

(e) : As informed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), the prices of petrol and diesel have been made market-determined by the Government with effect from 26.06.2010 and 19.10.2014 respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on pricing of petrol and diesel in line with international product prices and other market conditions.

As regards Subsidized Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene, the Government continues to modulate the effective price to consumer for Subsidized Domestic LPG and Retail Selling Price (RSP) of PDS Kerosene.

Government, as a measure of Good Governance has introduced well targeted system of subsidy delivery to LPG consumers through PAHAL. Under PAHAL Scheme, a LPG consumer purchases refill at non-subsidized price and applicable subsidy is directly transferred into the bank account of consumer. So far, more than 23.13 crore LPG consumers have joined the PAHAL Scheme.

Government has also taken steps to rationalise the subsidy outgo by excluding such LPG consumers or his/her spouse having taxable income of above Rs 10 lakhs from availing LPG subsidy w.e.f. 1.1.2016.

******