The Centre has reduced the number of subsidised cooking gas cylinders available each year to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), bringing the entitlement down to four cylinders annually from the previous limit of nine. The decision was announced by a senior government official, who said the revised quota reflects the average LPG consumption pattern among beneficiaries.

PMUY, launched in 2016, provides LPG connections to women from economically weaker households to encourage the use of cleaner cooking fuel. At the time of its launch, beneficiaries were eligible for up to 12 subsidised 14.2-kg LPG cylinders every year. The quota was reduced to nine cylinders last year and has now been lowered further to four.

Government cites consumption patterns

Speaking at a media briefing, Petroleum Ministry Additional Secretary Praveen Mal Khanooja said the revised entitlement broadly corresponds to the average annual LPG usage recorded among Ujjwala households.

The government continues to provide a subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2-kg cylinder to eligible PMUY consumers. The subsidy amount is transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts after the purchase of a refill. The assistance was first introduced at Rs 200 per cylinder in May 2022 and was increased to Rs 300 in October 2023.

LPG prices rise

The policy change comes shortly after a rise in domestic LPG prices. A 14.2-kg household LPG cylinder became costlier by Rs 29 earlier this month, taking the retail price in Delhi to Rs 942. For PMUY beneficiaries, the effective cost after the Rs 300 subsidy is Rs 642 per cylinder.

Government officials have also pointed to increasing financial pressure on oil marketing companies, which are reportedly facing substantial losses on domestic LPG sales despite the recent price increase.

Impact on beneficiaries

With the latest revision, PMUY beneficiaries will receive subsidy support on only the first four LPG refills purchased during a year. The government maintains that the revised limit is sufficient to meet the average consumption needs of beneficiary households, though the decision is expected to affect millions of families enrolled under the scheme.

Former MP and Telangana Rakshana Sena chief K Kavitha has accused the Telangana government of adopting a selective approach in dealing with land-related issues and demanded action regarding a parcel of land allegedly owned by Pawan Kalyan.

Addressing reporters in Hyderabad, Kavitha questioned the administration led by A Revanth Reddy and alleged that authorities were not acting uniformly in cases involving land that falls within protected water body limits.

Kavitha alleges land falls within protected limits

Kavitha claimed that around 10 acres of land associated with Pawan Kalyan is located in the Kodikunta lake area and falls under Shikam land and Full Tank Level (FTL) limits. According to her, official revenue records identify the land as protected lake property, and therefore authorities should examine the matter and take appropriate action.

She argued that if action is taken against certain properties for alleged violations involving lakes and water bodies, similar standards should be applied in all cases without exception.

Criticism of the Telangana government

During the interaction, Kavitha also criticised the Telangana government and alleged that large-scale irregularities had taken place in matters related to public land. She accused the administration of failing to address several issues while selectively targeting others.

The remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation involving opposition leaders and the Congress-led government in Telangana, with land-related controversies becoming a key point of political debate.

No immediate response reported

There was no immediate public response reported from Pawan Kalyan or the Telangana government regarding Kavitha’s latest allegations at the time of reporting. The claims made by Kavitha have also not been independently verified by authorities.

Popular educator Faisal Khan, widely known as Khan Sir, has received interim protection from arrest from a Patna court in connection with a firing case linked to his coaching institute.

The relief comes days after an FIR was registered against Khan Sir following a violent incident outside his coaching centre in Patna. The case relates to allegations that security personnel associated with the institute opened fire during a clash that erupted near the premises earlier this month.

According to reports, the court has temporarily stayed coercive action against Khan Sir while legal proceedings continue. The protection provides him relief from immediate arrest as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Background of the case

The controversy began after a confrontation near Khan Sir’s coaching institute in Patna’s Kadamkuan area. Videos circulating on social media allegedly showed security guards firing shots during the disturbance. Following the incident, Bihar Police detained two security guards and launched an investigation.

Police later registered a case against Khan Sir under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act after statements recorded during the investigation. Authorities have maintained that the probe is ongoing and further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation.

Khan Sir has denied any wrongdoing and previously maintained that the firing occurred in self-defence during a violent attack on the coaching institute. He has also alleged that the incident was part of a larger conspiracy against his institution, though investigators have not publicly confirmed such claims.

The court’s interim protection does not amount to a final verdict on the case. The investigation and related legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming days.