Massive ₹200 Price Drop on Domestic Gas Cylinders; Ujjwala Cylinders See ₹400 Total Discount
In a significant move, the central government has announced a remarkable price reduction of ₹200 on domestic gas cylinders (14.2 kg) effective from August 30, just in time for the festive occasions of Raksha Bandhan and Onam. This decision brings much-needed relief to consumers, with prices dropping to ₹903 in Delhi, ₹908 in Bhopal, and ₹906 in Jaipur.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur expressed that this reduction, a generous gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is especially meaningful for sisters celebrating Raksha Bandhan and people observing Onam. This price cut extends its benefits to approximately 33 crore consumers nationwide. The fiscal year 2023-24 will witness a financial commitment of ₹7,680 crores from the government due to this move. Additionally, the administration aims to distribute an impressive 75 lakh new Ujjwala connections.
The timing of this decision holds political significance as it precedes the upcoming assembly elections in five states. With elections scheduled in November-December, both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are witnessing competitive promises regarding gas cylinder costs from political parties. Congress, in particular, had previously implemented a scheme in Rajasthan to provide gas cylinders to BPL families for ₹500, and a similar promise was made in Madhya Pradesh.
This recent price alteration follows earlier changes earlier in March and July 2022. Notably, the subsidy on LPG cylinders ceased from June 2020, resulting in a shift from ₹593 to ₹903 for non-subsidised cylinders in Delhi. Now, the Ujjwala beneficiaries can acquire a cylinder for approximately ₹700, enjoying a subsidy of ₹200.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee attributed this price reduction to the efforts of the INDIA alliance, highlighting their pivotal role in influencing this decision. Banerjee revealed that the INDIA alliance held two meetings in the past two months, leading to the favorable outcome of the gas price reduction by ₹200.
For those interested in applying for the Ujjwala Yojana, certain eligibility criteria must be met:
– The applicant must be female.
– The female applicant needs to be older than 18 years of age.
– The applicant must come from a family that is BPL (below the poverty line).
– Possession of both BPL and ration cards is necessary.
– The applicant’s family should not already possess an LPG connection.
Must read about LPG gas cylinder
The Ujjwala scheme has made a significant impact, providing over 9.5 crore connections since its launch on May 1, 2016. In the financial year 2022-23, the government allocated ₹6,100 crore for the subsidy under this initiative. Subsidies are directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, streamlining the distribution process.