‘Har Ghar Jal’ to Move Faster, Cylinder Price to Drop, Payout to Increase Under ‘PM Kisan’ | Likely Center Action Before 2024

The three actions the BJP-led central government may take before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are: accelerating the ambitious “Har Ghar Jal” scheme, which could serve as its calling card for the election year; lowering the price of LPG cylinders, which the public finds to be too expensive at more than Rs 1,100; and increasing the money under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Top sources claim that 67 percent of homes now have access to tap water, up from 17 percent when the Jal Jeevan Mission was first introduced four years ago. The Center is pushing for the most work to be finished before the elections next year, a senior source said, even though the aim for 100 percent coverage is 2024.

The insider predicted that the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Har Ghar Jal programs will do the same magic in 2024 that the PM Ujjwala Yojana and PM Awas Yojana did in 2019.

The greatest beneficiary of the state, Uttar Pradesh, recorded a significant increase under the drinking water program, surpassing the milestone of 1.5 crore homes with tap water. So far, it has quickly attained 58 percent coverage. Rajasthan now has a 43 percent coverage rate, whereas West Bengal barely has a 37 percent coverage rate in two significant opposition-ruled states.

This might be used by the BJP to demonstrate how opposition-ruled states are falling behind in the game-changing initiative targeted at female voters. The program was highlighted by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, in a speech he gave on August 15 from the Red Fort.

The Centre can also lower the cost of LPG cylinders as a further action. The cylinders’ above Rs 1,100 price tag, which harmed the BJP in state elections in places like Karnataka, was previously covered by News18. Senior government officials are now aware that something has to be done.

In the last three years, the cost of an LPG cylinder has almost doubled. Although India imports 60% of its LPG for domestic usage and LPG prices are set by world rates, the BJP has received feedback that its female supporters are dissatisfied.

Additionally, in states like Rajasthan that are governed by the Congress party, the state government is covering the remaining costs while giving the LPG cylinder for Rs 500. If the Congress party wins the assembly elections, Kamal Nath, a leader in the state of Madhya Pradesh, has also pledged to provide LPG cylinders at Rs 500.

Beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana do get a subsidy of Rs 200 per cylinder, bringing the cost down to roughly Rs 900. However, the Centre could soon step in to provide more aid.

Top sources said that farmers have expressed a desire for an increase in the payment under PM Kisan Nidhi, and the BJP and the federal government have heard this as well. They get Rs 6,000 each year from the Center under this program in three equal payments of Rs 2,000 each.

The money distribution has been constant at Rs 6,000 since the scheme’s start over four years ago. Although the government has, to yet, formally rejected any such suggestion, there is a perception that an upward modification may be necessary. The national program has gained popularity locally, and Madhya Pradesh, which is governed by the BJP, has chosen to capitalize on this popularity by deciding to grant an extra Rs 6,000 to its farmers each year from state funds.

The number of farmers getting money under this plan has decreased from around 11 crore in previous years to approximately 8.8 crore as a result of the usage of Aadhaar and bank account seeding to remove bogus beneficiaries, and as a result, the Center does have some funds available.