Delhi govt to provide free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali as CM Rekha Gupta fulfills poll promise
The scheme is part of the BJP poll promise in the Delhi Assembly elections on festivals such as Holi and Diwali. The current allocation for the initiative stands at Rs 242 crore.
The BJP-led Delhi government has announced a major relief for city residents ahead of Holi, approving a scheme to provide 2 free LPG cylinders every year. Under the plan, eligible families will receive one free cylinder each on the occasions of Holi and Diwali. The Delhi Cabinet has formally cleared the proposal, fulfilling a key promise made by the BJP during the Delhi Assembly elections.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hailed the scheme and affirmed that her government is committed to fulfilling poll promises.
Who will get free LPG cylinders?
The scheme was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. It is aimed at supporting economically weaker families in the capital, particularly women from low-income households. Under the scheme, free LPG cylinders will be provided to ration card holders and families falling under the Economically Weaker Sections category during Holi and Diwali.
The government has estimated that the scheme will involve an expenditure of around Rs 300 crore. However, the current allocation for the initiative stands at Rs 242 crore. Only residents who belong to the EWS category or hold a valid ration card will be eligible for the benefit.
What CM Rekha Gupta said
Announcing the decision, the Chief Minister congratulated the families of Delhi and said the Cabinet had given its final approval to the free cylinder scheme. She said that all ration card holders in Delhi would receive a free LPG cylinder on Holi and Diwali.
According to the Chief Minister, Rs 853, equivalent to the cost of one LPG cylinder, will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer system. She also clarified that ration card holders who use PNG connections would not be excluded and would receive the benefit under the scheme.
The government estimates that around 17.5 lakh ration card holders across Delhi will benefit from the initiative.
Documents required for the scheme
To avail the benefit, applicants must have an Aadhaar card and a ration card registered with a Delhi address. Residents must be in the EWS category and possess a ration card to be eligible for the scheme.
In addition, government employees and retired government staff will be excluded from the benefit. The scheme is intended solely for financially vulnerable households to help ease the burden of rising cooking gas costs during major festivals.