SRINAGAR, Sept 24: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday approved a scheme providing six free LPG cylinders to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families in the Union Territory, with the announcement triggering protests from the Opposition BJP over its claim that the ruling party had promised 12 free cylinders.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Satish Sharma informed the Legislative Assembly that the scheme had received approval from the competent authority and that its details would be shared shortly.
“I want to inform the House that the six free gas cylinder scheme has got approval of authority concerned. Details will be shared shortly,” Sharma said.
The announcement was welcomed by members of the treasury benches, who thumped their desks. However, BJP members raised slogans against the Government, alleging that it had reneged on its electoral promise.
“This is cheating. The ruling party had promised 12 free cylinders,” BJP members said amid noisy scenes.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma accused the Government of failing to honour its commitment to provide 12 free cylinders to households.
“The Government has promised 12 free cylinders to all households. This six cylinders is a ‘dhoka’ (cheating). You have cheated in the name of cylinders, electricity and rations,” he said.
He further accused the Government of misleading poor people and questioned how long the situation would continue.
The verbal exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches continued for some time before Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened and restored order in the House. The Assembly subsequently resumed the remaining business for the day.
The AAY scheme is aimed at providing subsidised foodgrains and other benefits to the poorest families.
Earlier, the House had witnessed uproar over the issue of Scheduled Tribe-II reservations during Zero Hour.