Delhi govt to offer LPG connections to over 3.5-lakh families

NEW DELHI: The state Cabinet has given its green signal to offer LPG connections to nearly 3.57-lakh families that make use of kerosene oil. This move will make the national capital the first kerosene free city of India.

The decision has been taken at a Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The programme is slated for formal unveiling on August 15 this year.

Dikshit said, “As per the announcement in the Budget 2012-13, the city government would provide one time relief to the kerosene oil users in the Below Poverty Line(BPL), Antyodya Anna Yojna (AAY), JRC(Jhuggi relocation colonies) and card holder families for purchasing LPG connection and gas stove.”

The official data states that there are 3,56,395 families who have been making use of kerosene as a fuel for cooking. Out of this, 93,075 are AAY card holders, 2,32,019 are BPL card holders and the remaining are 31,301- JRC holders.

All these families are currently getting 12.5 litres of kerosene oil on monthly basis at Rs 14.83 per littre.

The overall kerosene oil disbursed every month by the Department of Food and Supplies stands at nearly 4,400 kilo litres.