LPG cylinder at ₹500, free power up to 200 units: Guarantees launched in Telangana

Revanth Reddy launched the two schemes - branded as Congress’ Guarantees, on Tuesday. Subsidised LPG cylinder is part of ‘Mahalakshmi scheme’ and free electricity is ‘Gruha Jyoti’ scheme.

ByDeepika Pasham | Ajay Tomar

Published Feb 27, 2024 | 8:12 PM ⚊UpdatedFeb 27, 2024 | 8:12 PM

CM Revanth Reddy inagurates subsidised LPG cylinders and free power schemes. (Supplied)

The Telangana government inaugurated two more guarantees, on Tuesday, 27 February, set to commence tentatively on 29 February.

This includes LPG cylinders at ₹500 — a part of the existing Mahalakshmi scheme — and the bestowal of free power up to 200 units for families possessing white ration cards — called the Gruha Jyothi scheme.

The immediate implementation of these guarantees was ordered by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in a directive to concerned officials, following a comprehensive review meeting on Thursday. This meeting, involving the Cabinet subcommittee, focused on the six promises made by the Congress in the lead-up to the state Assembly elections.

The Congress government had kickstarted two guarantees — free bus travel for women (the first component of the Mahalakshmi scheme) and enhancement of coverage under Aarogyasri from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh — within the first two days of taking over the reins in the state.

#Telangana CM @revanth_anumula launched two more @INCTelangana guarantees.

These are LPG cylinders for ₹500 under the Mahalakshmi scheme, and free electricity up to 200 units under the Gruha Jyothi scheme. Both schemes can be availed by beneficiaries possessing white ration… pic.twitter.com/Xd8W9Rp2B9

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 27, 2024

Also Read: Mallikarjun Kharge takes Congress guarantees to Andhra

Inauguration of two schemes

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, during the inauguration ceremony of the two guarantees on Tuesday, expressed astonishment that the former administration — led by BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao — failed to address the escalating prices of gas cylinders for impoverished households, despite consistent hikes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He revealed that the initial plan was to launch these initiatives with Priyanka Gandhi as a guest in Chevella. However, due to scheduling conflicts, this plan was postponed. The revised strategy was to inaugurate the schemes at the Secretariat, allowing them to witness the joy on women’s faces during the public meeting.

Affirming their commitment, he assured the public that they are dedicated to fulfilling all promises made by Sonia Gandhi for the welfare of the people.

Hon'ble CM Sri. A.Revanth Reddy Launching Mahalakshmi & Gruha Jyoti schemes at Secretariat https://t.co/1BDvYNr5Rd

— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) February 27, 2024

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the scheme is expected to benefit over 40 lakh individuals. Those who haven’t applied yet can still enrol if they possess a white ration card and an LPG connection, he said.

Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu emphasised the efficient pace at which the government has been launching schemes among the six guarantees. He stated, “These initiatives aim to assist the impoverished, the middle class, and various other households. Despite doubts about the Congress party’s ability to implement these guarantees, we have managed to secure funding by cutting unnecessary expenses.”

He added, “Those who missed out can apply through the Praja Palana portal to avail themselves of the guarantees.”

Also Read: Revanth dares BRS, BJP for debate on who delivered best on manifesto promises

LPG cylinder schemes

According to the Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies, the Government Order sanctioned the supply of LPG domestic cylinder at a subsidised rate of ₹500 per refill, under the Mahalakshmi scheme, to white ration card (food security card) holders in the state of Telangana.

The scheme will come into effect immediately. Beneficiaries, whose applications have been received through the Praja Palana portal, should have:

a white ration card in Telangana
an active domestic LPG connection in their name

Consumers can avail LPG cylinders limited to the average of their last three years of consumption. The state government will transfer the required amount in advance to the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) every month. OMCs will transfer the subsidy amount via Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiaries.

This subsidy release method is on a pilot basis, and the Civil Supplies Department and Finance Department will explore and come up with a model for the delivery of cylinders on payment of ₹500 only.

District Collectors will ensure proper awareness/publicity of the scheme, making certain that eligible white ration card holders with active LPG connections benefit from the Mahalakshmi LPG scheme. They will also instruct field-level functionaries to monitor the supply of LPG refills to eligible beneficiaries and arrange for the opening of counters for registration, verification, and data updating.

The administration of the scheme will be through the Praja Palana portal, and the Civil Supplies Department will maintain the beneficiary-wise release of subsidy in the same portal, as stated by the Commissioner of Food and Civil Supplies DS Chauhan in a notice.

Also Read: Centre owes Telangana ₹4,000 crore in GST compensation dues

Gruha Jyothi scheme

Under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, each household will be eligible for free electricity of up to 200 units of domestic consumption per month for a single service connection. This implies that the households will receive a “zero” bill for the particular month.

Beneficiaries, whose applications have been received through the Praja Palana portal, should have:

a valid white ration card linked with an Aadhaar card
a single service connection

As per the Government Order (GO), Discoms will not change the name of the consumer in their electronic billing system on account of linkage with a white ration card for this scheme. Bills will continue to be generated in the name of the recorded service connection holder only.

Discoms would be required to send details of subsidy received by beneficiaries, as well as consumption to the state government by the 20th of every month, following which the latter will release the subsidy amount to them.

Any consumer, who falls under the scheme, if found reaping the benefits for non-domestic purposes will be liable for action under relevant sections of the 2023 Electricity Act and Indian Penal Code.

Any consumer who has been issued a bill as per existing procedure but claims to fulfil the eligibility criteria under the Gruha Jyothi scheme can approach the concerned Mandal Parishad Development Office (MPDO) office/Municipal Commissioner/Circle Office under the jurisdiction of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Following this, they can file an application in the Praja Palana portal along with a valid white ration card, linked to a valid domestic USC (Unique Service Connection) number, as mentioned in the electricity bill.