In a recent cabinet meeting, the Telangana government has given its green signal to two new schemes: the Mahalaxmi Scheme and the Gruha Jyothi Scheme. The Mahalaxmi Scheme aims to provide 500rs LPG cylinders to all eligible beneficiaries, while the Gruha Jyothi Scheme aims to provide 200 units of free electricity to all households.
The Telangana Government introduced the Rs 500 Gas Cylinder Scheme on February 26, 2024, and complete committee guidelines were also released about this scheme. Mainly, applicants have to pay the full amount for gas initially. After some days, gas agencies release the remaining amount to your Aadhaar-linked bank account. After proper planning, the government plans to directly provide a 500 Rs gas cylinder to households.
The newly formed INC party has mentioned in their manifesto the introduction of the Mahalakshmi Scheme. Under this scheme, there are three additional sub-schemes, which include providing ₹2500 every month, 500 Gas Cylinder Scheme, and offering free travel in RTC buses.
It’s worth noting that the free travel in RTC buses has already been implemented successfully. The government now plans to initiate the ₹500 Gas Cylinder Scheme in Telangana soon. Cabinet ministers have also discussed this proposal.
500 Gas Cylinder Scheme Overview
The Rs.500 Gas Cylinder scheme aims to provide gas cylinders at the subsidized rate of 500 rupees. However, the implementation process may vary, and the government faced challenges when discussing the scheme with gas distributors. The distributors were reluctant to accept the 500 rupees gas cylinder proposal, leading to a delay in its execution. Consequently, the government decided to send the subsidy amount directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts.
To facilitate this, the government introduced a new advanced software system for filtering eligible individuals and streamlining the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) process. Only Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are eligible for this subsidy. In Telangana, there are 90 lakh ration cards, but only 64 lakh families have gas connections.
Under the 500 Gas Cylinder scheme, families holding ration cards are entitled to receive six cylinders per year. To implement this scheme, the government needs to provide a subsidy for 3.84 crores cylinders. Considering the current gas price of approximately 950 rupees, providing a gas cylinder for 500 rupees means the government would incur a cost of 1594 crores.
It’s worth noting that a similar scheme is already in operation in the state of Rajasthan. The government’s decision to directly transfer the subsidy amount to the beneficiaries’ accounts is aimed at expediting the implementation of the Rs.500 Gas Cylinder scheme.
Eligibility for 500 Gas Cylinder Scheme
- Must be Telangana State Citizen.
- The scheme is open to all families below the poverty line (BPL) who have a valid ration card.
- Only one LPG connection per family will be eligible for the subsidy.
Benefits 500 Gas Cylinder
- Beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of 500 Rupee on each LPG cylinder.
- The subsidy will be credited directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Implementation
- The government is still working out the modalities of the scheme.
- It is expected that the scheme will be rolled out in the next few months.
Selection Process for 500 Gas Cylinder Scheme
To be eligible for the gas connection subsidy.
- Family must possess a ration card and regularly avail ration benefits.
- One gas connection subsidy is provided per ration card-owning family, regardless of the number of members listed on the card.
- Each ration card holder family is entitled to receive a subsidy amount for only one gas connection.
- Families with a ration card are eligible for six gas cylinders per year.
Eligible individuals can apply for this scheme through the Praja Palana application. If not applied through Praja Palana, individuals can patiently wait for the government to initiate the application process for the 500 Gas Cylinder Scheme.
TS Ration Card e-KYC Misunderstanding
Most citizens think that ration card eKYC is for the Mahalakshmi scheme and the 500 gas cylinder scheme, but it is completely false information. Ration card eKYC is mandatory for all ration card holders as per the Union Ministry of Oil and Natural Gas.
For the 500 gas cylinder scheme, Telangana has not started any official process.
And ration card eKYC is mandatory for everyone; with this process, ineligible holders will be removed, and only eligible holders will remain. After this process, the government will also start issuing new ration cards.