Delhi Govt Transfers ₹141.88 Crore for Free LPG Cylinders to 15.45 Lakh Families on Diwali

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The Delhi government on Tuesday transferred ₹141.88 crore to more than 15.45 lakh ration-card-holding families as financial assistance for free LPG cylinders on Diwali. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the transfer at an event at Talkatora Stadium, releasing the amount through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts. MP Bansuri Swaraj and Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa were present on the occasion.

According to the government, a total of 15,45,994 families received the assistance, including 1,24,964 families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and 14,21,030 families in the non-PMUY category. PMUY families were given ₹642 each, while non-PMUY families received ₹942 each. The scheme, announced as part of the government's welfare commitments, provides financial support for LPG cylinders to ration cardholders on Holi and Diwali. Food and Supply Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the earlier tranche was also disbursed on Holi this year, and that the objective is not just festival support but also to reduce household expenses and increase savings for mothers and sisters amid inflation.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a central government scheme launched on 1 May 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections to women from below poverty line households. The scheme aims to replace unclean cooking fuels with clean and more efficient LPG, thereby reducing health hazards associated with indoor pollution. The initial target was to release 5 crore connections by 2019, which was later expanded to 8 crore. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

How is the assistance amount determined for each category?

The government divides eligible ration cardholder families into two categories: those covered under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and those not covered (non-PMUY). PMUY families received ₹642 each, while non-PMUY families received ₹942 each under this Diwali transfer. The difference in amounts reflects the existing central subsidy available to PMUY beneficiaries; the state assistance tops up the remaining cost of a cylinder for each category. The total disbursed was ₹141.88 crore across 15,45,994 families.

What has the scheme achieved so far?

This is the second disbursement under the scheme in 2026, following a similar transfer on Holi. The direct benefit transfer mechanism ensures the subsidy reaches beneficiaries without intermediaries, reducing leakages. By linking assistance to ration cards, the government targets households already registered under the Public Distribution System, avoiding duplication. However, the scheme is limited to ration cardholders, excluding families who may be eligible but do not possess ration cards. The one-time festival-linked nature of the assistance means it does not provide a recurring monthly subsidy on LPG cylinders.