In a gesture timed perfectly for the festive season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant reduction in the cost of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders, presenting a Rakshabandhan gift to India's 33 crore sisters. This move comes as part of the government's effort to alleviate the financial burden on households and uplift the spirits of the people during the upcoming Festival of Elections.
The question on everyone's mind now is whether these sisters will reciprocate with return gifts on Diwali and Holi.
The Union Cabinet's decision to slash the price of LPG cylinders by a substantial Rs 200 per cylinder for all consumers has been met with widespread appreciation. This price cut extends its benefits to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries, providing them with an overall subsidy of Rs 400 per 14.2kg-LPG cylinder.
Significant Relief for the Poor and Middle Class
The reduction in LPG gas cylinder prices by Rs 200 for all 33 crore LPG consumers across the nation is expected to ease the financial burden on households. Now, a single cylinder will cost Rs 900, down from the previous price of Rs 1,100. For the approximately 10 crore PMUY beneficiaries, the relief is even more substantial, as they will be able to purchase cylinders at just Rs 700.
In a further move to support underprivileged households, the Modi government has granted approval for an additional 75 lakh Ujjwala connections.
This expansion will bring the total beneficiaries under PMUY to an impressive 10.35 crore.
A Thoughtful Rakshabandhan and Onam Gift
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, during a press conference announcing these decisions, stated, “On the occasion of Rakshabandhan and Onam, the government has decided to reduce the price of domestic cylinders by Rs 200…this is a gift from PM Narendra Modi to the women of the country.”
This generous act by the Prime Minister is seen not only as a Rakshabandhan gift to the sisters of India but also as a way to strengthen the bond between the government and the people during the festive season. It has sparked discussions about whether sisters across the nation will reciprocate with gifts of their own on upcoming festivals like Diwali and Holi.
The move to cut LPG prices has been widely lauded as a measure that will benefit a broad spectrum of the population, particularly the middle class and economically disadvantaged households. As the nation gears up for the Festival of Elections, this bonanza of gifts from the government is sure to resonate with the people of India, reaffirming the importance of public welfare in the country's policy agenda.
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