Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday slammed the central government's decision to reduce the number of subsidised LPG cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme from 12 to 10 per year, terming it an anti-poor move. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of breaking his promise to provide 12 cylinders at subsidised rates to poor households.
Kharge's Statement
In a post on X, Kharge said, "Modi ji, you had promised 12 LPG cylinders to the poor under the Ujjwala scheme. But now you have reduced it to 10. This is a betrayal of the poor. The Congress party will not let this happen." He further alleged that the government is favouring big corporates at the cost of the common man.
Background of the Ujjwala Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in 2016 to provide LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line (BPL) households. Initially, beneficiaries received a subsidy for up to 12 cylinders per year. However, in the recent budget, the government reduced the subsidised quota to 10 cylinders, citing fiscal consolidation.
Critics argue that the reduction will disproportionately affect low-income families, especially in rural areas where LPG is a primary cooking fuel. The government maintains that the move is necessary to rationalise subsidies and target them more effectively.
Political Reactions
Opposition parties have rallied behind Kharge's criticism. Several Congress leaders have planned protests against the decision. Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the move, stating that the government has increased the subsidy amount per cylinder to compensate for the reduced quota.
The issue is expected to be a key point of debate in the upcoming parliament session. The Congress has demanded a rollback of the decision, calling it a blow to women's welfare.
