The Union Budget for the Financial Year 2016-17 contains several new measures for the Social Sector. Highlighting these measures in his Budget Speech in the Parliament here today, the Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs and Information and Broadcasitng, Shri Arun Jaitley said that the Government has "decided to embark on a massive mission to provide LPG connection in the name of women members of poor households".
A sum of Rs.2,000 crore has been set aside in this year's Budget to meet the initial cost of providing these LPG connections, the Finance Minister explained.
The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley said this will benefit about 1.5 Crore households below the poverty line in 2016-17. The scheme will be continued for at least two more years to cover a total of 5 crore BPL households. This will ensure universal coverage of cooking gas in the country, the Minister added. This measure will empower women and protect their health. It will reduce drudgery and the time spent on cooking. It will also provide employment for rural youth in the supply chain of cooking gas, he said.