During a recent Union cabinet meeting, the Indian government has reduced the cost of cooking gas by ₹200 per cylinder for all domestic consumers. This decision comes with an additional subsidy endorsement within the Ujjwala scheme, amounting to ₹200. Consequently, the subsidy for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries will now stand at ₹400 per cylinder.
As of now, a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder costs ₹1,103 in New Delhi. This cost will decrease to ₹903 starting from Wednesday. Similarly, the price for Ujjwala beneficiaries will be ₹703 after accounting for the ongoing ₹200 per cylinder subsidy.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur conveyed, “PM Modi has taken the decision to cut ₹200 from the price of domestic LPG cylinders for all users. This is a gesture from PM Narendra Modi to the women of our nation, timed with the celebrations of Raksha Bandhan and Onam.”
Thakur shared that upon assuming power in 2014, only 14.5 crore citizens possessed domestic LPG connections. Today, that number has grown to 33 crore, with 9.6 crore connections established through the Ujjwala scheme.
In response to the announcement, BJP president JP Nadda expressed his appreciation, stating, “Heartfelt gratitude for the Cabinet’s decision under the leadership of respected Prime Minister @narendramodi to significantly reduce the cooking gas prices.”
Nadda further conveyed, “Ujjwala beneficiaries will now obtain LPG at ₹700, while other consumers will have it at ₹900. Modi ji’s gift to the strength of our women on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This move by Modi ji will benefit 33 crore consumers across the nation,” on X (formerly Twitter).
Free gas connection for 75 lakh women.
During the cabinet briefing, Thakur also disclosed that the government, in light of Raksha Bandhan and Onam, has chosen to offer free gas connections to 75 lakh women as part of the Ujjwala scheme. This initiative includes providing these women with a gas burner, the initial cooking gas cylinder, and the required pipe, all free of cost. With the inclusion of these 75 lakh women, the total beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme will reach a sum of 10.35 crore.