Opposition leaders have voiced criticism against the government’s move to decrease the number of subsidised LPG cylinder refills provided through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from nine to four per year. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit expressed disappointment, stating that the decision indicates a lack of sustained welfare support for citizens. He suggested that the scheme should be renamed the “Andhkaar Scheme” due to the reduction in subsidies.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha also condemned the decision, highlighting the continuous decrease in the number of subsidised cylinders from 12 to four. He questioned the government’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities and criticized the media for not adequately addressing the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. Jha emphasized the importance of genuine two-way communication to understand the public’s hardships.
The reduction in subsidised LPG cylinder refills comes at a time when the cost of supplying domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has significantly increased. Reports indicate that the cost of providing a single domestic LPG cylinder has exceeded Rs 1,600, leading to substantial losses for oil marketing companies. The decision has raised concerns about the economic implications and the impact on consumers.
