Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy called on Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday and requested him to direct oil marketing companies to release additional LPG connections for a state scheme, which is complementary to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
In February, the state government had launched the Mukhyamantri Anila Bhagya Yojana (MMABY), but it could not be operationalise then in view of the Assembly polls. Recently, the oil marketing companies (OMCs) have agreed to release one lakh connections each in September and October this year.
"To realise the goal of kerosene-free Karnataka, the connection release capacity for MMABY should be increased to 1.5 -2 lakh connections per month, along with the provision to pay the security deposit on behalf of the beneficiaries to the distributors," a release quoted Kumaraswamy as having said in the meeting.
He appealed to the Union Minister to give necessary directions to OMCs in this regard.
MMABY aims to universalise the LPG usage and proposes to cover nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries over 18-24 months. Under this scheme, families who are not covered under the PMUY will be covered. The beneficiary is given a gas connection, gas stove and two refills free of cost.
Karnataka Public Works Minister and Kumaraswamy's brother H D Revanna was also present in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy said the state government was mulling reducing VAT on petrol and diesel.
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