Andhra Govt's Diwali Bonus For Underprivileged Women: Three Free Gas Cylinders A Year

While the retail price of each domestic gas cylinder is currently Rs 876, the cost of three cylinders per year will be fully covered by the state government.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to start booking gas cylinders well in advance, beginning October 24, to ensure a seamless supply from October 31 onwards. 

Source : Special arrangement

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, will launch a scheme providing free cooking gas cylinders to eligible women. The 'Deepam' scheme, a key poll promise among the 'Super Six guarantees' the TDP had announced during the election campaign earlier this year, will be implemented from October 31, coinciding with the Deepavali festival.

During a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat on Monday, CM Naidu reviewed the guidelines for the scheme's implementation with Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, senior officials, and representatives of Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation. Naidu directed officials to ensure smooth execution without any complaints from the beneficiaries.

He reportedly said at the meeting that the state government will implement the welfare schemes despite financial constraints. "The money that the women had been until now spending on gas cylinders can be utilised for other domestic purposes," the CM said, adding that such schemes would benefit the poor, especially women. 

3 Free Gas Cylinders Per Year To Cost Rs 2,684 Cr Annually  

The Chief Minister instructed officials to start booking gas cylinders well in advance, beginning October 24, to ensure a seamless supply from October 31 onwards. 

Under the Deepam scheme, eligible women from BPL families will get three free LPG cylinders every year. While the retail price of each domestic gas cylinder is currently Rs 876, the cost of three cylinders per year will be fully covered by the state government. The Centre provides Rs 25 as a subsidy per cylinder.

The scheme is expected to cost the state an additional Rs 2,684 crore annually, with a total projected expenditure of Rs 13,423 crore over the next five years.  Earlier, the TDP government reopened Anna Canteens, which was another electoral pledge.