Indian Government reduces domestic LPG cylinder price by Rs 200; respite for consumers ahead of festival season

Union Minister Anurag Thakur while speaking to the media announced the decision of the cabinet to reduce the price of the LPG cyclinder by Rs 200. Thakur said that the decision is a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the women of the country on Onam and Raksha Bandhan. “PM Modi has decided Rs 200 reduction in the price of domestic LPG cylinders, for all users…this is a gift from PM Narendra Modi, to the women of the country, during the occasion of Raksha Bandhan,” he said.

#WATCH | "PM Modi has decided Rs 200 reduction in the price of domestic LPG cylinders, for all users…this is a gift from PM Narendra Modi, to the women of the country, during the occasion of Raksha Bandhan", says Union Minister Anurag Thakur pic.twitter.com/QTy6YB0x4u

— ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2023

The meeting of the Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thakur also said that the central government has decided to add another 75 lakh Ujjwala gas beneficiaries. At present, there are 9.6 crore beneficiaries of the scheme.

India is dependent on imports for 60 per cent of its natural gas requirements. The minister said the current government has initiated several schemes for the development of women, including pucca houses, toilets, additional foodgrains and Direct Benefit Transfer during the Covid pandemic.

Effective Wednesday, the price of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder will be reduced by Rs 200 across the country. In Delhi for instance, the decision will bring down the cost of a 14.2 kg cylinder from the existing Rs 1,103 per cylinder to Rs 903. This across-the-board reduction is in addition to the existing targeted subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder to Ujjwala households, which will continue. Therefore, the effective price in Delhi for Ujjwala beneficiaries after this reduction will be Rs 703.

It may be noted that there are more than 31 crore domestic LPG consumers, including 9.6 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries.

Anurag Thakur said the current government has initiated several schemes for the development of women, including pucca houses, toilets, additional foodgrains and Direct Benefit Transfer during the Covid pandemic.
India is dependent on imports for 60 per cent of its natural gas requirements.

To clear pending Ujjwala applications and to provide deposit-free LPG connections to all eligible households, the government will shortly start distribution of PMUY connections to 75 lacs women from poor households. This will increase the total number of beneficiaries under PMUY to 10.35 crore.

The government said these decisions come as part of its ongoing efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens and promote the welfare of households.

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, expressed his happiness with the decision, stating, “We understand the challenges faced by households in managing their budgets. The reduction in cooking gas prices is aimed at providing direct relief to families and individuals, while also supporting the government’s larger goal of ensuring affordable access to essential items.”