The Deepam 2.0 scheme introduced by the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh for supply of three free gas cylinders to each eligible poor family in the state has evoked tremendous response from the consumers.
This was disclosed by state civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar in the state legislative council on Monday.
He said so far, as many as 40 lakh consumers had enrolled under the scheme which was kicked of on October 31.
“Of these 40 lakh consumers, free gas cylinders were supplied to as many as 30 lakh consumers. The free gas cylinders would be supplied once in four months and for the first cylinder, one can apply till March 31, 2025. The government has already released funds for the scheme,” Manohar said.
There are in all, 1.55 crore gas connections in Andhra Pradesh and every eligible family below poverty line would get three free gas cylinders.
“The eligibility criterion would be decided on the basis of Aadhar card and white ration card,” the minister said.
Senior YSRCP leader and leader of opposition in the legislative council Botsa Satyanarayana raised several questions, doubting the sincerity of the state government in implementing the scheme.
He also found fault with the government for asking the consumers to pay first for the cylinders and then seek reimbursement from the government.
Nadendla, however, shot back saying there shouldn’t be any doubts over the implementation of the scheme, which would be done in a completely transparent manner.
“The opposition is not able to digest when we are implementing the scheme with utmost sincerity,” he said.