The government’s decision to limit the number of LPG cylinders to six will not only hurt the budget of households, but will also severely affect as many as 70,000 state-run schools, ashramshalas, hostels, etc that cater to lakhs of youngsters.
Minister of legislative council Ramnath Mote has written to the chief minister to take a decision, to provide more subsidised cylinders at least to these institutes.
“The government’s decision to provide only six subsidised cylinders will hit our schools, hostels, ashramshalas. The midday meal scheme is run in as many as 70,000 village schools. The management of these schools are worried,” said Mr Mote, MLC elected from the Thane teachers’ constituency.
The MLC explained that schools, which cater to orphan students or those that provide midday meals, require as many as five lakh cylinders every month.
With the government deciding not to give more than six subsidised cylinders, the 70,000 institutions will not even get one cylinder per month, while each of these need at least three in a month.
“I have requested chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to consider relaxing the new rule at least for ashramshalas, schools and hostels that provide midday meals,” Mr Mote said.
Last week, Mr Chavan had said that meetings were being held to discuss plans to increase the number of subsidised cylinders for weaker sections of the society. However, there were rumours that the Nationalist Congress Party, which holds the finance ministry in the state, had opposed the decision to provide extra cylinders, as it would put additional financial burden on the state exchequer. The NCP had later come up with the explanation that it was not opposed to the idea of extra cylinders if the
CM takes the decision, but suggested that he decide at the earliest.