Srinagar, Sep 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Government’s approval of six free LPG refills annually for families covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) triggered a heated exchange between the ruling National Conference and opposition BJP in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Satish Sharma informed the House that the competent authority had approved the scheme and that necessary orders for its implementation would be issued shortly. The benefit is proposed to cover the cost of six domestic LPG refills annually for eligible AAY families.

However, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma questioned the government over the scope and implementation of the scheme. He alleged that the National Conference had earlier promised 12 free LPG cylinders to every household during the elections, but the government had now limited the benefit to six cylinders for AAY families.

Speaking to Brighter Kashmir, Sunil Sharma said the government must explain what happened to its earlier commitments and questioned when eligible families would actually receive the benefit.

“Where have the last 24 cylinders gone? Give an account,” Sharma said in the Assembly, referring to the earlier commitment and the two years since the promise was made. He also sought answers on other election commitments, including one lakh jobs and free electricity for eligible families.

BJP members raised slogans during the proceedings, questioning the reduction from the earlier promise to the six-cylinder scheme. The protests led to an uproar in the House, with members from the treasury benches and opposition exchanging slogans.

BJP MLA R S Pathania also questioned the government over the commitments made to the people and sought clarity on the implementation and coverage of the LPG benefit.

The Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, intervened repeatedly as the disruption continued and appealed to members to maintain order and allow the proceedings to continue.

The government had earlier informed the Assembly that the six-refill proposal was being worked out through an Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism, with the reimbursement amount proposed to be credited to eligible beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The government had also said that the modalities were still being finalised.

The latest approval now clears a key step towards implementation, while the BJP’s objections have shifted the focus to the difference between the earlier election commitment and the benefit approved for AAY families.