On International Women's Day, PM Modi announces Rs 100 cut in cooking cylinder price

Domestic LPG cylinder now at Rs 803; for Ujjwala beneficiaries at Rs 503

New Delhi: The central government on Friday announced a cut in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for domestic cooking by Rs 100 per cylinder, a move that will benefit 33 crore households, including over 10 crore poor families covered under Ujjwala scheme.

The price of a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder will now come down to Rs 803 in Delhi from Rs 903.

This reduction will be in addition to the existing subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder offered to the beneficiaries covered under the Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana, effectively bringing the price they pay down to Rs 503 a cylinder. The subsidies to Ujjwala beneficiaries is offered for up to 12 refills in a year.

This decision came a day after the union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to extend subsidies for Ujjwala beneficiaries by one year till March-end 2025, which is estimated to cost the exchequer 12,000 crore during the financial year 2024-25, according to  government estimates.

Prime Minister Modi made the announcement about the cooking gas price reduction in a post on social media platform X. He said that the move will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country.

“Today, on Women’s Day, our Government has decided to reduce LPG cylinder prices by Rs 100. This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting our Nari Shakti,” Modi said.  

“By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our commitment to empowering women and ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ for them,” he added.

It is seen as a significant step by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to woo the voters, especially the women electorate, ahead of the general election. The Election Commission of India is expected to announce dates for the Lok Sabha elections in the next few days, probably next week.

LPG subsidies have been a familiar strategy by political parties ahead of elections. In August 2023, ahead of Assembly elections in five states, the Centre had announced a reduction of Rs 200 per cylinder in LPG price. The new reduction is in addition to the one announced in August.

Opposition parties questioned the timing of the decision. Reacting on the price cut, leader of Sharad Pawar faction of NCP and MP Supriya Sule said, “I am not surprised at all. Look at the timing. They have been in power for the last 9 years. Why didn’t they think of this earlier.”

“The BJP is a very clever party. They sell (LPG) cylinders of Rs 395 at Rs 1,000 and then PM Modi makes an announcement of reducing it by Rs 100,” said Surendra Rajput, a spokesperson of Congress party.