Eye on 2018 polls, Karnataka govt mulls offering free LPG refills

Bengaluru, Jun 1: Amidst ongoing tussle between the Centre and Karnataka over the naming rights of Ujjwala and Anila Bhagya schemes (free LPG connections), the chief minister Siddaramaiah-led state government is exploring possibilities of providing free LPG refills to gain an upper hand ahead of the 2018 assembly polls.

As per the present schemes envisaged by the NDA government and the state, the subsidy will be restricted to only one-time gas connection. This amounts to Rs 1,612 for a gas connection under Ujjwala, and Rs 1,912 for non-Ujjwala beneficiaries and BPL card holders under the Anila Bhagya scheme of the state. However, subsequent refills of gas will have to be borne by the beneficiary under the present mandate.

Citing that this may not be enough, as the subsidised market price for a 14 kg cylinder may still be too expensive for a BPL family to afford each time, the government is looking to dole it out free of cost. This proposal may even include the Ujjwala beneficiaries.

A subsidised rate of approximately Rs 500 per cylinder is supposed to be paid by the customer for 12 cylinders a year, beyond which the market rates apply. The market rate for each domestic LPG cylinder is Rs 772.

"While we had restricted the Anila Bhagya scheme to LPG connections, a few ministers are seeking to provide even refills," said a senior food and civil supplies department official. Sources said rural development and panchayat raj minister H K Patil is one among the ministers. If approved by the state cabinet, the additional financial burden on the exchequer will be around Rs 50 crore for the 10 lakh beneficiaries under both the schemes, per refill.

The money is likely to be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which have been linked with Aadhaar and ration cards, after they purchase the refill each time. The food and civil supplies department has not yet finalized as to how many refills will be borne by the state.

The LPG refills will be an additional freebie by the state government which has also considered providing a gas stove to all the 10 lakh beneficiaries under both the schemes.