Give up your LPG subsidy, Gautam Adani tells his employees

Just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a clarion call to the well-off to give up LPG subsidy, his good friend Gautam Adani was among the first to respond in a big way. The ‘Give It Up' campaign was launched by the PM on March 27 and, just three days later, the Adani Group chairman nudged his employees to participate.

An appeal signed by Gautam Adani, dated March 30, was sent to all of the group's nearly 8,000 employees in India, asking them to opt out of the LPG subsidy. What's more, the form for opting out was attached to the mail, and the administration and the human resources teams were apprised of it, to get the form signed by the employees.

Gautam Adani

While some sources in the company insisted that compliance with Adani's appeal is not mandatory, others said it did not feel strictly voluntary either, with department heads reportedly taking a keen interest in ensuring that the mail reached every employee.

File pic for representation

Some even claimed that the move was designed to ensure that the company remained in the good books of the PM. An employee in the real estate division of Adani Group said the tone of the email made it very clear that the company wanted all the employees to give up the subsidy.

Gautam Adani sent out the appeal on March 30, just 3 days after Modi launched the ‘Give It Up' campaign

"I was indirectly told that I should opt out, but shouldn't it be my decision? Why should a company, that has never paid for my LPG cylinder, suddenly ask me to give up the subsidy? Also, they are so serious that all the forms necessary for opting out are being sent to us and the HR and Admin departments are working extra hours to see to it that everyone fills out the form," said the employee.

'Charity begins at home'
The appeal signed by Adani read, "As you are aware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the nation to voluntarily surrender the LPG subsidy, so that the benefits can go to the truly needy. In line with this appeal, as a responsible group and citizens. It has been felt appropriate for all of us to voluntarily opt out of the LPG subsidy."

"This will be the genuine participation of people at large for people, who are financially compromised. Charity begins at home... Accordingly, your HR and Admin Dept will facilitate to sign the required form to be submitted. Looking forward to this small but significant contribution from all in our journey of nation building," it said.