Telangana: Free electricity, Rs 500 Gas Cylinder Schemes, Conditions Apply

Hyderabad, Feb 27 (IANS) The Congress government in Telangana on Tuesday launched implementation of two more guarantees -- 200 units of free electricity to each household and cooking gas cylinder for Rs 500.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched the two guarantees at a programme held at the Secretariat in the presence of Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers.

The party had announced that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will launch the two schemes at a public meeting in Chevella in the presence of one lakh women but because of the election schedule announced for the MLC election, the government had to drop the plans.

Revanth Reddy said within 48 hours of coming to power, the Congress had implemented two guarantees.

On December 9, the government launched the scheme to provide free travel facility for women in TSRTC buses and enhanced coverage under Rajiv Arogyasri scheme from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The Chief Minister said despite the false propaganda by the opposition, the government remained committed to implement the guarantees.

"There is no question of this government backtracking on any of the promises made by Sonia Gandhi," he said, adding that the Congress will present Telangana as a model state for the entire country. He recalled that CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had announced six guarantees on September 17, 2023 at a public meeting in Hyderabad.

The Chief Minister formally launched the two schemes by distributing the benefits among five women beneficiaries each.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said Congress's rivals created apprehensions in the minds of people about the guarantees but they were proved wrong from the very second day of this government when two guarantees were implemented.

He said the government was implementing the promises despite the problems, alleging that the previous BRS government during its 10-year rule turned revenue-surplus Telangana into a debt-ridden state.

The Deputy CM said the households consuming up to 200 units of electricity per month will get 'zero bills' from January. Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said all white ration card (food security card) holders will get cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 and a total of 40 lakh families will be benefited from this scheme.

According to a Government Order, only those white ration card holders who have applied for the scheme during the Praja Palana programme will be eligible for subsidy. They should have an active domestic LPG connection in their name.

The LPG cylinders which can be availed by consumers will be limited to average of their last three years of consumption of cylinders.

The state government will transfer the required amount, in advance, to the oil marketing companies (OMCs), on a monthly basis. OMCs will transfer the subsidy amount by Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiaries. This method of release of subsidy is on pilot basis and Civil Supplies Department and Finance Department shall explore and come up with a model for delivery of cylinders on payment of Rs.500 only, said the GO.

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