Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, will launch the supply of free cooking gas cylinders to eligible women on October 31, coinciding with the Diwali festival. This initiative is part of the ‘Deepam’ scheme, which aims to provide three free gas cylinders annually to beneficiaries across the state.
During a meeting held at the State Secretariat on Monday, Chief Minister Naidu, along with Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and officials from Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, and Bharat Petroleum, discussed the implementation guidelines for the scheme. Despite financial constraints, the Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to welfare programs benefiting the poor.
The supply of free gas cylinders will be managed transparently, with advance booking beginning on October 24. This initiative is expected to reduce the financial burden on women and improve their living conditions, allowing them to allocate savings from gas expenses to other household needs.
The Civil Supplies Secretary, Veerapandyan, revealed that the state will bear an additional annual cost of ₹2,684 crore for this scheme, amounting to ₹13,423 crore over five years. The Chief Minister reiterated that the government is dedicated to improving the welfare of women in the state.
