Over 3.5 lakh families in Delhi to get free LPG

In order to end use of kerosene -- which often does not reach the intended beneficiaries -- the Delhi government on Tuesday launched an ambitious scheme, where about 3.5 lakh BPL and poor families will get free LPG cylinders and gas stoves.

Launching the scheme announced by her in the 2012-2013 Budget, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said all BPL, AAY and JRC beneficiaries will be covered under the scheme at a cost of over Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) which will make Delhi the first keresone-free city in the country.

"We want Delhi to be eco-friendly.We want Delhiites to make their food in an environment-friendly environment. So, we have decided to give LPG cylinders and gas stoves free of cost.One set costs the Government Rs 3,049 and the kit comes with all accessories like regulator and pipe," she said.

As a token gesture, Dikshit handed over the kits to 20 beneficiaries among the 200 in the first phase. In the coming months, all the 3.56 lakh beneficiaries will be provided with fully-filled LPG cylinders and gas stove.

"The scheme can be extended to other poorer sections of society as well.If a poor person wants to avail this scheme, he can contact officers concerned and he will be given the connection," she said.

The scheme is part of the extension of Centre's Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitrak Tojana and Rs 22.75 crore (Rs 227.5 million) is borne by the Central, while the rest Rs 85.91 crore (Rs 859.1 million) is being spent by the city government.

Dikshit said the 3.56 lakh beneficiaries of this scheme were getting keresone from PDS shops in the capital.

She also said her government was in talks with the Centre over the issue of getting cash transfers for people who don't want to get items from the fair shops.

She said the scheme was intended at removing corruption as the gas stoves will be procured from the gas companies and there will be complete transparency in the process.

The initial scheme announced by Dikshit in her budget speech entailed providing the people with Rs 2000 for procuring a gas connection and cylinder.

However, the Delhi Government later revised the scheme and announced that the cylinders will be directly provided to the beneficiaries.