The Maharashtra Government is considering providing three additional gas cylinders to the consumers. The State Cabinet held discussions on Wednesday about the financial viability of the proposal, especially at a time when the State’s debt has risen to over Rs 1.1 lakh crore.
Given the September announcement by the Centre, consumers across the country are eligible for only six subsidised cylinders in a fiscal. Consumers can buy additional cylinders at market rates.
Following the Congress high command’s order, the Governments of Delhi, Assam and Haryana have already decided to provide three additional cylinders. In Maharashtra, the mandarins are busy working out the cost implications.
A senior Maharashtra Government official said that the cost of providing additional cylinders would be huge. The Finance Department is unhappy about the additional burden. The final decision can now only be taken by the Chief Minister, the official said.