Telangana Government Introduces Mahalaxmi LPG Scheme to Empower Women
Hyderabad February 23
In a significant move towards women empowerment and environmental sustainability, the Government of Telangana has announced the implementation of the Mahalaxmi scheme. This initiative aims to provide LPG cylinders at a highly subsidized rate of only Rs. 500, thereby reducing the dependency of women on traditional cooking fuels and offering them a pollution-free alternative.
Under the Mahalaxmi scheme, existing gas consumers with active domestic LPG connections, and whose names are listed on the Food Security Cards issued by both the Central and State Governments, are eligible. To avail the benefits, consumers must have applied for gas subsidy through the Praja Palana programme.
The allocation of LPG cylinders will be based on the household’s average consumption pattern over the last three years. Initially, the scheme targets around 40 lakh beneficiaries, paving the way for the empowerment of as many women.
Beneficiaries will pay the full retail selling price (RSP) at the time of refill delivery, while the Telangana Government will provide an upfront advance on a monthly basis to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for the intended beneficiaries. The subsidy amount will be transferred to eligible beneficiaries through a back-ended Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, facilitated by the OMCs.
The Mahalaxmi scheme is set to be launched by the end of February 2024, promising a brighter and healthier future for women across Telangana.
