In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has approved the free supply of three gas refills per annum to all households with white ration cards. This decision, taken during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, is part of the TD-led alliance’s poll manifesto and will come into effect from Diwali, marking a major relief for families across the state.
Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar announced that the scheme is aligned with the Super Six initiatives highlighted in the joint poll manifesto. The government will spend ₹2,684 crore annually to implement this scheme. An agreement has been signed with three gas companies to provide the gas cylinders and refills to eligible households.
“The cost of each gas cylinder is ₹2,894.92, and this amount will be given free of cost to all eligible families. The subsidy will be credited directly into the beneficiaries’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 48 hours of cylinder delivery,” Manohar stated. This decision is set to benefit thousands of families, easing the burden of household expenses.
Information Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy also briefed the media on another key decision from the meeting, which was the cancellation of Seigniorage fee on the free sand scheme. This move aims to make sand more accessible for the public, enhancing the effectiveness of the state’s free sand initiative.
Additionally, the Cabinet decided to revoke the allotment of 15 acres of government land in Survey Nos 102, 102/2, and 103 to the Sri Sarada Peetham in Pendurthi, Visakhapatnam. The land, initially allocated for Vedic education and religious activities, was allegedly being misused for commercial and residential purposes.
Minister Parthasarathy emphasized that this decision was made to protect government lands and ensure that they are used for the intended purposes. The Cabinet remains focused on addressing public grievances and fulfilling the promises made in the poll manifesto, especially those concerning the welfare of the people.
As the Diwali season approaches, the implementation of free gas refills will bring significant relief to families, while the land reclamation decision reaffirms the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
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