NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that all ration card–holding families in Delhi will be provided financial assistance equivalent to the cost of two LPG cylinders per year. This assistance will be extended on the occasions of Holi and Diwali, she said.
The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by the CM. She said this scheme is part of the Delhi government’s policy of targeted, transparent and accountable welfare. She stated that the prescribed amount for the cylinders will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account of the head of the family.
“All ration card–holding families in Delhi will be covered under this scheme, which is universal in nature and will apply equally to all ration card holders, irrespective of whether they use LPG or piped natural gas (PNG) connection for cooking. Financial assistance will be provided on two occasions each year, Holi and Diwali regardless of whether a cylinder refill has been undertaken in the respective month,” the CM said.
Currently, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder in Delhi costs Rs 853. Beneficiaries covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will receive financial assistance of Rs 553 per cylinder, after adjustment of the Rs 300 per cylinder subsidy provided by the Government of India, while non-Ujjwala ration card-holding families will be provided assistance of Rs 853 per cylinder.
The estimated annual expenditure on this scheme will be approximately Rs 242.77 crore, which will be adjusted in accordance with changes in LPG prices, Government of India subsidies, and the number of beneficiaries. The Delhi government has ensured a clear budgetary commitment for the implementation of this scheme, the CM said. Gupta emphasised that the scheme is not merely financial assistance, but a means of ensuring dignity and relief for families during the festive season.