Shillong, Aug 30: In a move that will bring respite to households across the nation, the Centre has announced a substantial reduction in the price of cooking gas.
Effective from August 30, the price of a 14.2 Kg LPG cylinder will be reduced by Rs 200 in all markets across the country. In Delhi for instance, the decision will bring down the cost of a 14.2 Kg cylinder from the existing Rs 1,103 per cylinder to a more affordable Rs 903 per cylinder.
“This is a gift to crores of my sisters of the country on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Our government will always do everything possible that improves people’s quality of life and benefits the poor and middle class,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
This reduction is in addition to the existing targeted subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder to PMUY households, which will continue. For PMUY households, therefore, the effective price in Delhi after this reduction will be Rs 703 per cylinder.
There are more than 31 crore domestic LPG consumers in the country including 9.6 crore PMUY beneficiary families and this reduction will help all LPG consumers in the country.
To clear pending PMUY applications and to provide deposit-free LPG connection to all eligible households, the government will shortly start distribution of PMUY connections to 75 lakh women from poor households who do not have an LPG connection. This will increase the total number of beneficiaries under PMUY from 9.6 crore to 10.35 crore.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, expressed his happiness with the decision, saying, “We understand the challenges faced by households in managing their budgets. The reduction in cooking gas prices is aimed at providing direct relief to families and individuals, while also supporting government’s larger goal of ensuring affordable access to essential items.”
