Srinagar, Sept 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s commitment to provide six free LPG cooking gas cylinders annually to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families across Jammu and Kashmir has been approved by the government, marking the fulfilment of a key assurance made in his second Budget earlier this year.

Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma announced the approval today on the floor of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Autumn Session.
“I want to inform this august House that the six free gas cylinder policy for AAY has got approval from the competent authority. Necessary orders for rolling out the scheme are being issued shortly,” the Minister informed the House, drawing applause from the members.
Soon after the announcement, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the initiative would provide direct relief to the most deserving households and strengthen the government’s commitment to public welfare.
“This key initiative aims to extend direct relief to the most deserving households, ensuring a dignified life for vulnerable sections and reinforcing the government’s commitment to social justice and public welfare,” the Chief Minister said.
The initiative was announced by the Chief Minister while presenting his second Budget as Finance Minister in February this year, wherein he had proposed six free LPG cylinders annually for AAY households across Jammu and Kashmir.
The provision will extend direct assistance to AAY families across Jammu and Kashmir, helping ease their household expenditure on cooking fuel and providing additional support to economically vulnerable households.