Mangaluru : Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader on Thursday announced that chief ministers Anila Bhagya Yojane will be launched within August 15. The government has set aside Rs 300 crore for the purpose, with a promise of funding more in case of any demand further, he said.

Addressing reporters here, Khader said the ambitious scheme of the government is expected to be launched from one of the district centres in North Karnataka. A Government Order (GO) regarding the scheme has been issued following the approval of the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

The scheme is aimed at providing free LPG connection to those families without gas connection, having either Anthyodaya card or ration cards issued on priority.

The select beneficiaries will be provifded with a two-burner stove, while the domestic refilled cylinders will be supplied at the market price.

Barring Rs 20 charged towards enrolling for the benefit, the applicants need not pay any amount, the minister clarified.

However, the applicants aged 18 years and above, should submit the Aadhaar numbers of their family members. It is only in the case of no female members in the family, one of the male members of the family, aged 18 and above, will be considered, the minister added.

The minister said Dakshina Kannada district alone has 71,000 people without gas connection against 35.44 lakh in the state.

He also advised against opting for the benefit under aforementioned plan even after enrolling for similar benefit, but with changes under Ujjwala scheme of the Union government.

The oil companies have also agreed to implement the scheme in toto, promising to issue gas connections within a week of applying for the benefit. The amount towards gas connection and the stove priced calculated at Rs 1,940 and Rs 999 respectively, will be directly credited to the bank accounts of respective gas agencies. The stove will bear the portrait of chief minister and logo of the scheme.

The people can avail of the benefit by applying either at franchisees, gram panchayat offices, Janasnehi kendras and other centres recognised by the government.