Congress Government’s Gas Cylinder Scheme
Implementation within 100 Days
The Congress-led state government is set to implement a gas cylinder scheme within 100 days. The Department of Civil Supplies has devised two proposals to select beneficiaries, focusing on ration cardholders and non-ration cardholders. The scheme’s estimated burden ranges from Rs 2,225 crore to a maximum of Rs 4,450 crore.
Gas Connections in Telangana
Stats and Consumption
Telangana boasts a total of 1.20 crore gas connections, distributed among HPCL, IOCL, and BPCL. Approximately 44% of consumers refuse a cylinder each month, indicating that around 52.80 lakh people use one cylinder monthly. Families with ration cards amount to 89.99 lakh, posing a challenge in the quick implementation of the scheme.
Cylinder in 500 Rupees Mahalakshmi Scheme
Implementation Challenges
The Civil Supplies Department foresees challenges in implementing the scheme quickly if the second proposal, involving a survey of eligible beneficiaries, is considered. The department officials presented the proposals to Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, emphasizing the potential time-consuming nature of the survey.
Ujwalvi Subsidy and Customer Base
Subsidy Details
The current gas cylinder price is Rs 500, with a central government subsidy of Rs 40 for general connections and Rs 340 for Ujwal connections. Telangana has 11.58 lakh Ujwalvi connections, while 4.2 lakh customers have voluntarily waived the subsidy. The remaining customers’ choice will determine the scheme’s success.
Estimated Burden on Telangana Government
Financial Considerations
The Telangana government estimates a burden of about Rs 2,225 crore, with an additional burden of Rs 4,450 crore calculated by the Civil Supplies Department officials in the same year. The scheme’s successful implementation hinges on overcoming challenges in beneficiary selection and managing the financial burden effectively.