Centre slashes LPG prices by ₹200 for all consumers as polls approach
Centre slashes cooking gas prices by ₹200 per cylinder, approves additional subsidy under Ujjwala scheme.
The central government on Tuesday slashed the prices of cooking gas by ₹200 per cylinder for all domestic consumers to rein in inflation ahead of crucial state and general elections. The Union cabinet approved an additional subsidy of ₹200 under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), taking the total amount of subsidy for Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries to ₹400.
Also Read| Govt to give 75 lakh new Ujjwala LPG connections, PMUY cylinder subsidy now ₹400
At present, 14.2-kg LPG cylinder costs ₹1,103 in New Delhi. It will cost ₹903 from Wednesday. In the same way, the price will be ₹703 for Ujjwala beneficiaries after considering the continuing ₹200 per cylinder subsidy.
“PM Modi has decided ₹200 reduction in the price of domestic LPG cylinders, for all users...this is a gift from PM Narendra Modi, to the women of the country, during the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and Onam,” said Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
In 2014, when we first came to power, only 14.5 crore citizens had domestic LPG connections, Thakur said. “Today that number has increased to 33 crore, in which 9.6 crore have been distributed under the Ujjwala scheme,” he added.
Also Read| Retail inflation to ease as vegetable prices soften: RBI's MPC member
Reacting to the announcement, BJP president JP Nadda wrote, “Heartfelt gratitude for the decision taken by the Cabinet under the chairmanship of respected Prime Minister @narendramodi drastically cut the price of cooking gas.”
“Now Ujjwala beneficiaries will get LPG at ₹ 700 and all other consumers will get LPG at ₹ 900. Modi ji's gift to our women power on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This decision of Modi ji will benefit 33 crore consumers across the country,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter)
Free gas connection for 75 lakh women
Addressing the cabinet briefing, Thakur also informed that on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan and Onam, the government has decided to provide free gas connection to 75 lakh women under the Ujjwala scheme.
Under the initiative, these women will get the gas burner, first cooking gas cylinder, and pipe for free, Thakur added. After 75 lakh women get their gas connections, the total beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme would then sum up to 10. 35 crore.
Recommended Topics