NewDelhi : In a significant move aimed at providing relief to households ahead of the festive season, the union government has announced a substantial decrease in the cost of cooking gas. Starting from August 30, 2023, the price of a 14.2 Kg LPG cylinder will undergo a reduction of Rs 200 in all markets across the country. Notably, this decision will lead to a price drop for a 14.2 Kg cylinder from the current Rs 1103 per cylinder to a more affordable Rs 903 per cylinder in Delhi.
Expressing his sentiment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, this is a gift to the millions of sisters in our country. Our Government will consistently strive to enhance the quality of life and extend benefits to the underprivileged and middle-class citizens.”
This reduction is an addition to the ongoing targeted subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder for Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) households, which will persist. Consequently, the effective price after this decrease for PMUY households in Delhi will amount to Rs 703 per cylinder.
It’s important to note that there are over 31 crore domestic LPG consumers in the nation, including 9.6 crore PMUY beneficiary families, and this price reduction will extend its benefits to all LPG consumers nationwide. To address pending PMUY applications and provide deposit-free LPG connections to eligible households, the Government is set to initiate the distribution of PMUY connections to 75 lakh women from economically challenged backgrounds who are without an LPG connection. This move will elevate the total number of PMUY beneficiaries from 9.6 crore to 10.35 crore.
These initiatives are part of the Government’s continuous endeavors to alleviate the financial burden on citizens and advance household welfare. The reduction in cooking gas prices exemplifies the Government’s dedication to prioritizing citizen well-being and ensuring reasonable access to essential commodities.
Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, expressed his contentment with the decision, affirming, “We are cognizant of the financial constraints faced by households in managing their budgets. The decrease in cooking gas prices is designed to offer direct relief to families and individuals, while also supporting the Government’s broader objective of facilitating affordable access to vital goods.”
The reduction in cooking gas prices is anticipated to have a positive impact on the overall cost of living for a wide spectrum of society. The proactive measures taken by the Government are expected to result in notable savings for households, consequently contributing significantly to the disposable income of citizens.
The Government’s consistent efforts to ease the burden on its citizens are evident in this reduction in cooking gas prices, underscoring its responsiveness to people’s needs and unwavering commitment to their well-being.