Guwahati, December 2 (IANS). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced a major relief for the families. He said that cooking gas at Rs 300 per cylinder will soon become a reality for lakhs of families in the state.
In this initiative launched with the aim of reducing the financial burden on low-income families, beneficiaries under Orunodoi Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will be given a subsidy of Rs 250 on LPG cylinder.
In a post on social media platform
Official sources said the subsidy will be given directly to the beneficiaries, which will add to the existing assistance from the central government under the PMUY. The move is expected to benefit a large section of economically weaker families, especially women, who top both the Orunodoi and PMUY beneficiary lists.
Orunodoi Scheme, one of the signature welfare programs of Assam, currently provides monthly financial assistance to eligible families to meet essential expenses. By including LPG subsidy in the scheme, the state government hopes to further reduce rising household expenses, especially as gas prices remain a concern for low-income groups.
This announcement is likely to provide relief to low-income people in rural and urban areas who depend on subsidized cylinders for their daily cooking needs.
Although the government has not yet revealed the date of rollout, officials have said that modalities are being finalized for its smooth implementation.
It is expected that LPG distributors will be well informed about the subsidy system and the Social Welfare Department and Food and Civil Supplies Department will coordinate among themselves in identification of beneficiaries and distribution of subsidy.
With this initiative, Assam has also joined those states which are trying to protect people from changes in gas prices by increasing LPG subsidy at the local level. This will further strengthen the government’s goal of ‘development for all’ and providing genuine benefits to the needy.
–IANS
AMT/DKP
