President Rolls Out 2 Free LPG Cylinders Annually for Delhi's Poor
At 'Sashakt Nari' event, President launches DBT scheme worth ₹300cr covering 15.5L ration families; ₹853 credited twice yearly to Aadhaar accounts.
President Droupadi Murmu is set to launch the Delhi government's free LPG cylinder scheme on March 2, 2026, at a special event titled 'Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi' held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
The initiative, approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's cabinet, provides all Delhi ration card holders with the financial equivalent of one free LPG cylinder—worth approximately Rs 853—twice annually on Holi and Diwali via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The first Holi 2026 installment will credit before March 4, covering universal beneficiaries including PNG users, with an annual budget of Rs 242-300 crore adjusted for LPG price fluctuations.
This fulfills a key BJP election promise from the Delhi Assembly polls, complementing the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana by offering festive relief without requiring new applications or changing distributors. SMS alerts will notify recipients, ensuring transparency and flexibility for families to purchase refills seamlessly.
Also Read: Trump Urged Iranians to Rise Up, But Intelligence Says Odds are Grim
The launch coincides with Holi bank holidays from March 2-4 in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, amplifying the scheme's timely appeal amid festivities. It also pairs with the 'Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana' for girls' education support, targeting families earning under Rs 1.20 lakh annually and residing in Delhi for three years.
Delhi's move underscores welfare continuity despite global headwinds from the US-Iran war, where PM Modi launched Rs 4,400 crore Tamil Nadu projects and chaired a CCS meeting on stranded citizens amid Khamenei's killing. As Trump signals sustained strikes, the scheme bolsters household resilience locally.
Beneficiaries need only a valid ration card; no separate enrollment is required, with funds usable at preferred gas agencies. This DBT-driven approach prioritizes dignity and efficiency during economic pressures from oil disruptions.
Also Read: UAE Withdraws Ambassador, Shuts Tehran Embassy Over Iranian Missile Strikes
