AP Govt To Launch Free LPG Cylinder Scheme On Deepavali

Govt takes back 15 acres of land allotted to Sri Visakha Sarada Peetham, with whom former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had close connections

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, among other things, on Wednesday gave its stamp of approval for launching free supply of three LPG cylinders to all the eligible families as per the election promise made by the TDP and the Jana Sena Party from Deepawali.

As per the decision, the beneficiaries have to first pay the amount to get the cylinders at the rate of one in four months and the amount paid by them will be transferred to their bank accounts within 48 hours.

On an average, the supply of free cylinders will cast an additional burden of 900 crore per cylinder and around Rs 2700 crore per year. It will approximately cost Rs 13,424 crore in five years. This was one among Super Six Guarantees given during the electioneering by the TDP and the JSP. BJP had distanced from the manifesto saying being a national party, it has a separate manifesto for pan India. Chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Cabinet meeting held at Velagapudi Secretariat resolved to launch Jala Jeevan Mission - to provide drinking water supply connection to all the households. Naidu was understood to have advised some of the Ministers to improve their performance based on the report card received by them. On the Polavaram project, he said the pending works should be expedited. One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was to take back 15 acres of valuable land allotted near Tagarapuvalasa to Sri Visakha Sarada Peetham, with whom former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had close connections.

Reiterating the government’s commitment for free supply of sand, the Cabinet approved a proposal to waive off seigniorage on sand. This was estimated to cause a loss of revenue of Rs 264 crore. Ensuring Assembly session, where the government will table a full-fledged budget for the financial year, also figured during the meeting. The modalities for implementing the garbage cess introduced during the erstwhile YSRCP regime was discussed.