Budget 2016: LPG connection for rural women; Rs 2,000 crore allocated, says Arun Jaitley

The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley chose to address the social healthcare segment especially in Budget 2016. He announced that the government will provide LPG connection in the name of women in rural households and Rs 2,000 crore will be allotted for this. 

"Provide LPG connection in name of women in rural households and Rs 2,000 crore will be allotted for this," he said.

He added, " We will cover 5 crore households in two years." 

Apart from this they will provide rural employment in supply chain of delivering LPG gas. 

Jaitley also announced the opening of 3,000 stores under the Prime Minister's scheme in 2016 making quality medicines available at affordable rates. 

This comes as good news for people in rural areas which till now use fire wood and rudimentary cooking methods which cause several health related issues.

While people were expecting further subsidies in LPG, it is not likely to happen.

The Economic Survey on the other hand expected the government to reduce the subsidies on LPG cylinders.

Advocating rationalising LPG subsidy, the pre-Budget Economic Survey has called for cutting supply of below-market priced cooking gas to 10 cylinders per household in a year from 12 bottles, at present.