Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said the government will transfer ₹853 — the current cost of an LPG cylinder — to each ration card-holding family before Holi, with a similar transfer before Deepavali based on the prevailing LPG rate. The announcement was made following a Cabinet meeting chaired by the CM earlier in the day. Ms. Gupta said an estimated 17.5 lakh ration card holders in Delhi will benefit from the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised to provide monthly LPG cylinders for ₹500 to women from poor families and one free cylinder each on Holi and Deepavali ahead of the Delhi Assembly election last year. The Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has tried to corner the BJP government over the “non-fulfilment” of its poll promises, including disbursing ₹2,500 in monthly cash aid to women. In response, the ruling party has said that a scrutiny of the ration card holders is under way.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said the government will transfer ₹853 — the current cost of an LPG cylinder in the Capital — to each ration card-holding family before Holi, with a similar transfer before Deepavali based on the prevailing LPG rate.

The announcement was made following a Cabinet meeting chaired by the CM earlier in the day.

Poll promise

Ms. Gupta said an estimated 17.5 lakh ration card holders in Delhi will benefit from the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had promised to provide monthly LPG cylinders for ₹500 to women from poor families and one free cylinder each on Holi and Deepavali ahead of the Delhi Assembly election last year.

The Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has tried to corner the BJP government over the “non-fulfilment” of its poll promises, including the disbursal of ₹2,500 in monthly cash aid to women. In response, the ruling party has said that a scrutiny of the ration card holders is under way.

“The Delhi government is steadily translating all its commitments into reality,” the CM told mediapersons after the meeting.

She did not refer to the election promise of providing cylinders to beneficiaries at subsidised rates every month.

CMO statement

An estimated ₹242.77 crore will be spent on the DBT scheme, adjusted in accordance with changes in LPG prices, Central subsidies, and the number of beneficiaries, read a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Ms. Gupta said the scheme is not “merely financial assistance, but a means of ensuring dignity and relief for families during the festive season”.

She added that the government has ensured a clear budgetary commitment for the scheme’s implementation.

Scheme details

“At present, the price of an LPG cylinder in Delhi is ₹853 per cylinder. Beneficiaries covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will receive financial assistance of ₹553 per cylinder, after adjustment of the ₹300 per cylinder subsidy provided by the Central government, while non-Ujjwala ration card-holding families will be provided an assistance of ₹853 per cylinder,” the statement added.