Guwahati, Dec 2 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, revealed a significant relief initiative for households reliant on LPG, announcing that cooking gas priced at Rs 300 per cylinder will soon be available for millions of families in the state. This program is designed to alleviate the financial strain on lower-income households by providing a Rs 250 subsidy on LPG cylinders to beneficiaries of both the Orunodoi scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

In a message shared on X, Sarma expressed that the State government is committed to facilitating affordable access to clean cooking fuel. He stated, “Cooking gas at Rs 300 is no longer a distant dream but will soon be a reality for countless families in Assam. Beneficiaries of the Orunodoi scheme and PM Ujjwala will soon benefit from a Rs 250 subsidy on their LPG cylinders from the State Govt, making life easier for my constituents,” indicating a significant enhancement in the state's welfare initiatives.

According to official sources, the subsidy will be directly transferred to the beneficiaries, adding to the existing support from the Union government under PMUY. This initiative is anticipated to assist a large number of economically vulnerable families, particularly women, who are predominantly part of the Orunodoi and PMUY beneficiary lists.

The Orunodoi scheme, a flagship welfare program in Assam, currently offers monthly financial aid to eligible households to help cover essential expenses. By incorporating LPG subsidy support into this scheme, the State government aims to tackle escalating household costs amidst rising fuel prices, which are a concern for low-income families.

Political analysts see this decision as part of the government's wider commitment to welfare-focused governance ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections next year.

The announcement is expected to resonate strongly with rural and urban poor, who heavily rely on subsidized cylinders for their daily cooking needs.

Although the government has yet to announce a specific rollout date, officials have indicated that preparations are underway to ensure smooth implementation.

LPG distributors will be informed about the subsidy process, while the social welfare and food and civil supplies departments will work together on identifying beneficiaries and disbursing the funds.

With this initiative, Assam joins other states providing LPG subsidies at the local level to protect households from price volatility, reinforcing the administration's focus on inclusive growth and targeted welfare.