Eyeing Polls, MP Govt Nod to Gas Subsidy

Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal to provide LPG cylinder at Rs 450 to the domestic consumers in the month of ‘Sawan’ which began on July four and would end on August 31.

The move comes ahead of the year-end assembly elections in the state.

The state council of ministers sanctioned the proposal to provide the domestic cooking gas cylinder at Rs 450, state home minister Narottam Mishra said.

All the domestic consumers in the state will get the benefit of the subsidised LPG cylinders, Mr Mishra said.

The excess amount (above subsidised price) will be transferred through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

The amount to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjala Yojana will be transferred immediately while the remaining will also get it after submitting the application.

Congress veteran and former chief minister Kamal Nath said that the state government was forced to provide LPG at Rs 450 after he pledged a similar promise to the consumers after Congress returned to power in the state.

The council of ministers also approved the proposal to increase the incentive amount given to the ASHA workers from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 a month and provide an increment of Rs 1,000 every year.

Besides, the retirement benefit given to the ASHA workers has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs one lakh.