JOIN USThe Delhi government on Monday decided to supply nine subsidised LPG cylinders to each below poverty line (BPL) family every year.
The Centre recently capped the supply of subsidised cylinders to six to each household a year. Several Congress-ruled governments are finding ways to mobilise funds to ensure that BPL families continue to get 12 LPG cylinders per household at subsidised rates.
However, the BJP government in Karnataka has not yet discussed the issue. Sources in Bangalore said there were 81 lakh card holders. After weeding out bogus ration cards, the number came down to 64 lakh. Among them, 16 lakh card holders have not come forward to submit documents sought by the government.
At least 75 per cent of the 64 lakh card holders come under the BPL category. So, if the Karnataka government decides to subsidise six cylinders for each card holder at the rate of Rs 351 per cylinder, the burden to the exchequer may be not less than Rs 700 crore. With no budgetary support, mobilising funds will be difficult.
The Delhi Cabinet decision will benefit at least 3.56 lakh BPL families. The government will release Rs 350 per cylinder—the price difference between a non-subsidised and subsidised cylinder—to meet the additional expenses. “Our government is committed to safeguarding the interests of the common man,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.