Delhi govt approves 3 additional subsidized LPG cylinders for poor families

New Delhi: Delhi government Wednesday approved a proposal to provide three additional subsidised LPG cylinders annually to around 3.56 lakh poor families identified under Kerosene-free Delhi scheme.

Similarly, the Maharashtra government also decided to provide three additional subsidised LPG cylinders to those with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh, a decision taken at a cabinet meeting.

The three subsidised cylinders will be in addition to the six cylinders to be provided by the Centre.

In September, the Centre had decided that each household will get six cylinders of 14.2-kg per annum at the subsidised rate and any requirement beyond that would have to be procured at market rate. The market rate of an LPG cylinder is Rs 895.50 while a subsidised cylinder costs Rs 410.

Following the decision by the Centre, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had announced that Delhi government would give three more subsidised cylinders to those to be covered under the Kerosene-free Delhi scheme.

The decision, taken at a cabinet meeting presided over by Dikshit, will benefit 3.56 lakh poor families.

Delhi government had launched the Kerosene-Free Delhi scheme in August by giving free gas stoves, cylinder and regulator to all families covered under BPL, Antyodaya Anna Yojna and Jhuggi Ration Card.
"All the beneficiaries of the 'Kerosene-Free Dilli' scheme will get nine subsidised cylinders instead of six," Dikshit said.

Officials said government had earlier decided to give an empty cylinder along with a gas stove but has now decided to give a filled LPG refill for which an additional amount of Rs 14.22 crore has been sanctioned.

"Our government is sensitive to the needs of the weaker sections. The government has also been striving hard to provide them the maximum relief in order to make their lives better and comfortable," she said.

PTI