Give up LPG subsidy for poor, says Saina Nehwal

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal, who was in the City on Friday, urged those who are wealthy to give up LPG subsidy for the benefit of BPL households.

Speaking at an event held at the Bharat Petroleum petrol pump on Residency Road, she said: “Last year, when I heard about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s LPG ‘GiveItUp’ campaign, I decided to give up the LPG subsidy and the beneficiary is a family from Jammu and Kashmir.”

The Padma Bhushan awardee later felicitated people who had given up their subsidy. “I used to see my grandmother using wood for cooking during my childhood days. I used to feel bad seeing her cough. Sweat would drip down her body due to the smoke emanating from the burning wood. By giving up subsidy, we can help those who do not have LPG connections and cook with fuel such as wood, coal and kerosene,” the London Olympics bronze medalist added.

Earlier in the day, Saina met students of Bishop Cotton School and motivated them to propagate the message of giving up LPG subsidy. She told them how women who collect firewood suffered from neck aches, headaches, bruises, animal attacks and many health problems, including respiratory diseases.

The ‘GiveItUp’ campaign was announced by Narendra Modi on March 27 last year during an international energy-focused summit organised by the oil ministry.