In a major relief to common people, particularly   housewives on the eve of the festival of Raksha Bandhan,  the Centre on Tuesday announced a Rs 200 per cylinder cut in prices of domestic cooking gas.

 Among other measures, the Union Cabinet adopted a resolution hailing the soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface, saying the success of the mission is a victory not just for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) but a symbol of India’s progress and ascent on the global stage. It also welcomed the fact that August 23 would be celebrated as  ‘National Space Day’ in the country from now on.

The decision of the Narendra Modi Government will  bring down the price of domestic cylinder by Rs 200. At present, a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder in the national Capital costs Rs 1,103 — more than double the rate it came for in May 2020.

It will cost Rs 903 when the decision is implemented from Wednesday. For Ujjwala beneficiaries, the price will be Rs 703 after considering the continuing Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy. Announcing the decision,  Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the move was aimed at providing relief to households. Also, the Government will provide an additional 75 lakh Ujjwala connections, which will take the total Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)  beneficiaries to 10.35 crore.

An official statement said, “These decisions come as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens and promote the welfare of households. The reduction in cooking gas prices reflects the Government’s commitment to prioritise the well-being of its citizens and ensure access to essential commodities at reasonable rates.”

Hailing the decision, Prime Minister Modi said in a post in Hindi on X, “The festival of Raksha Bandhan is about increasing happiness within the family. The reduction in gas prices will provide more comfort to sisters in my family and make their life easier. May every sister of mine be happy and healthy, this is my wish from God.”

  Cooking gas prices have shot up in the last couple of years and have become a major election issue. Thakur, however, refused to link the decision with elections saying it was a gift from the Modi Government to women on the occasion of Onam and Raksha Bandhan.

It is not known how much the decision would cost the exchequer but Thakur said the Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy provided to Ujjwala consumers would cost Rs 7,680 crore in the current financial year ending March 31, 2024 (April 2023 to March 2024).

While Ujjwala beneficiaries are only 9.6 crore, there are some 31 crore domestic cooking gas users in the country.

The Government in June 2020 stopped giving LPG subsidies. Cooking gas across the country was priced at market rate, which rose to Rs 1,103 in the national Capital.

The only subsidy that was available was for poor women who got free connections under PMUY. The Government gave Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy for up to 12 refills in a year. This subsidy was transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, who bought LPG at market price from the dealer.

The move to cut prices by Rs 200 would bring back the subsidy regime unless the Government were to ask the oil companies to absorb the cut and not compensate them.

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centre gifts lpg price cut on rakhi

The Government in October 2022 provided a one-time grant of Rs 22,000 crore to oil companies to cover for the losses they had incurred on selling LPG at low cost in the previous two years.

On the other decision of the Cabinet , Thakur said the Cabinet congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO).

It thanked the scientists and noted that India has become the first country to land near the Moon’s south pole.

“Landing on the moon, with predicted accuracy, in itself is a momentous achievement. Landing near the South Pole of the Moon, overcoming the arduous conditions, is a testament to the spirit of our scientists who since centuries have sought to push the boundaries of human knowledge,” read the resolution.

The Cabinet said it believes that India’s advancements in the space sector are more than just monumental scientific achievements. They represent a vision of progress, self-reliance, and global leadership. This is also a symbol of the rising New India.

“This Cabinet commends and appreciates every individual who has contributed to this landmark mission, acknowledging that Chandrayaan-3 is a glowing testament to what India can achieve with passion, perseverance and unwavering dedication,” the resolution said.

 The wealth of information being sent by the ‘Pragyan’ rover from the Moon will advance knowledge and pave the way for ground-breaking discoveries and insights into the mysteries of the moon and beyond, the resolution said.

“The Cabinet is proud to see that a large number of women scientists have contributed to the success of Chandrayaan-3 and India’s space programme in general. This will motivate several aspiring women scientists in the years to come,” the resolution noted.

It also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “visionary and exemplary leadership, and his unwavering commitment to India’s space programme for human welfare and scientific progress”.

 “His faith in the capabilities of our scientists and his constant encouragement have always fortified their spirit,” the Cabinet resolution pointed out.