Delhi govt announces free LPG cylinders for 17.5 lakh families on Holi, Diwali - 'Direct cash transfer'

• Delhi to give free LPG cash to 17.5L ration card families on Holi, Diwali
• Rs 853 will be transferred to eligible families' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
• New scheme starts Holi, covers all ration card holders regardless of cooking fuel.

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The Delhi government on Tuesday announced that it will provide one free LPG cooking gas cylinder each to around 17.5 lakh ration card–holding families in the capital every year on the occasions of Holi and Diwali. Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the benefit will be given through direct cash transfer instead of physical delivery of cylinders.

Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 853, equal to the current price of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi, will be transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the head of each eligible family.

Beneficiaries can use the money to buy a gas cylinder whenever they choose. The state cabinet approved the scheme on Tuesday, with an estimated annual cost of about Rs 243 crore.

The scheme will be implemented starting this year’s Holi, which falls on March 4. Announcing the decision, the chief minister said the move was aimed not just at providing financial help, but also at ensuring dignity for low-income families during important festivals. She said the government was fulfilling another promise made in the BJP’s election manifesto, or ‘sankalp patra’, for Delhi.

Free LPG cylinders for poor families on Holi and Diwali was one of the BJP’s key promises ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections held in February last year.

After the BJP came to power with a strong majority, winning 48 of the 70 seats, the issue became a point of political debate. The opposition Aam Aadmi Party repeatedly accused the government of failing to keep its promise, pointing out that free cylinders were not distributed during Holi and Diwali last year.

CM Gupta said the initiative is part of the government’s policy of “targeted, transparent and accountable welfare”. She clarified that all ration card–holding families in Delhi will be eligible for the benefit, regardless of whether they use LPG or piped natural gas (PNG) for cooking.

The financial assistance will be given on both festivals every year, even if a family has already booked or used a cylinder refill during that period.

Families covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will receive Rs 553 per cylinder, as they already get a Rs 300 subsidy from the Centre. Other eligible ration card holders will receive the full Rs 853 amount.