Free LPG connections for 3.57 lakh families

Nod by Delhi Cabinet for scheme on which Government will incur an expenditure of Rs.85.54 crore

In pursuance of the announcement made in the Delhi Budget 2012-13, the State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the scheme for providing free LPG gas connections and stoves to nearly 3.57 lakh kerosene-user families.

The Delhi Government will incur an expenditure of Rs.85.54 crore on this scheme which aims to both reduce the pollution in the city and also intends to put an end to the diversion of kerosene oil supplies from the Public Distribution System.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the scheme will be implemented from August 15, 2012, and strive to make Delhi the first kerosene-free city in the country.

Under the scheme, the Delhi Government will provide one-time financial assistance to families possessing Below Poverty Line (BPL), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Jhuggi Relocation Colonies (JRC) ration cards in purchasing an LPG connection and gas stove.

Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf said as per e-PDS data base, there are 356,395 families who have been using kerosene oil for cooking purposes. Out of them, he said, 93,075 are AAY card holders, 232,019 BPL card holders and the rest 31,301 JRC card holders. At present all these families are entitled to get 12.5 litres of kerosene oil per month at the rate of Rs 14.83 per litre.

Mr. Yusuf said about eight or nine months ago the supply of kerosene to Delhi had been curtailed by around 70 per cent. “The Delhi Government and the Centre have decided to replace the use of kerosene with LPG to ensure that there was less pollution and to clamp down on black-marketing of kerosene or its sale to paint making or other such units.”

As per the Government, the move will also provide a big relief to lakhs of households as LPG use is safer and less polluting within the homes too. “Housewives will not have to face the menace of smoke from kerosene stoves in their kitchens,” an official said.

Mr. Yusuf said for facilitating the switch-over, the Food and Supplies Department will set up a separate cell which upon proper verification will give slips to the kerosene users to be deposited with their designated LPG provider for getting a gas connection, ISI-marked double-burner gas stove and a rubber tube.

There will be no involvement of cash as the Government will directly pay the providers of the gas connection and stove. The Cabinet has approved the methodology for the change and the programme will be launched on August 15. “Thereafter, we will complete the change over from kerosene to LPG within six months,” Mr. Yusuf said.