10 lakh free gas connections planned in K'taka under Anila Bhagya

Bengaluru: Karnataka is aiming to provide 10 lakh free gas connections to families below poverty line under the Anila Bhagya scheme before the state goes to polls in April or May next year, Food and Civil Supplies Minister UT Khader said Thursday.

The scheme envisages providing a gas cylinder, stove, a lighter and two refills for which the government will spend 4,040 per household.

The scheme will be rolled out in three phases. Karnataka has 31 lakh households without a gas connection, according to the minister.

District-wise committees have been formed each headed by the district in-charge minister, to select beneficiaries for the scheme. "These committees will have legislators who are authorised to finalise list of beneficiaries," he said.

The Anila Bhagya scheme, which is similar to the Centre's Ujjwala scheme, was announced in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's 2017-18 budget.