In a major welfare announcement ahead of Holi 2026, the Delhi Cabinet has approved free cooking gas cylinders for economically weaker section (EWS) women, providing relief during the festival of colours. The initiative, formalised under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, specifically targets women holding valid ration cards, ensuring that vulnerable households receive support to ease festival cooking expenses. This move fulfills a key pledge from the BJP’s Delhi assembly poll manifesto, reinforcing the party’s focus on tangible welfare measures for underprivileged communities.

The program echoes previous commitments from the BJP’s election manifesto, which promised free LPG cylinders for EWS women during Diwali and Holi, alongside Rs 500 subsidised cylinders for other low-income families. During the November 2025 Municipal Corporation of Delhi by-polls, CM Rekha Gupta reaffirmed her government’s dedication to fulfilling these promises, which also include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for poor women, underlining the administration’s strategy of delivering both seasonal and recurring support.

Under the Holi initiative, officials estimate the scheme’s cost at around Rs 300 crore, which will benefit thousands of EWS women across Delhi, providing a one-time gas cylinder handout for the March festival. The program complements the government’s ongoing Diwali LPG distribution plans and exemplifies a broader approach to year-round welfare support for economically vulnerable households, particularly in times of rising living costs.

Beyond the Holi-specific scheme, the BJP-led Delhi government has already implemented several welfare measures. These include rolling out the Ayushman Bharat health insurance program, ensuring comprehensive medical coverage for low-income families, and launching Atal Canteens, which provide nutritious meals at just Rs 5 to those in need. Such initiatives illustrate the government’s commitment to combining immediate assistance with long-term accessibility, making essential services and subsidies widely available to the city’s poor.

CM Rekha Gupta has highlighted that this Holi gesture is a continuation of her administration’s focus on delivering on poll promises. She emphasised that the government remains steadfast in providing support ranging from gas subsidies to monthly financial assistance, which fosters economic stability and empowers EWS women in Delhi. By offering free LPG cylinders during Holi, the government not only eases festival preparations but also reinforces trust in public welfare programs, encouraging broader participation in government schemes.

The initiative is expected to reach thousands of beneficiaries, ensuring that festival cooking costs are significantly reduced for households in need. With this scheme, the Delhi government aims to enhance the quality of life for economically weaker women, allowing them to celebrate Holi with dignity and joy. Moreover, it sets the stage for ongoing welfare measures, including seasonal and monthly subsidies, which provide continuous support for vulnerable sections of the population.

This decision by the Delhi Cabinet reflects a strategic effort to merge political accountability with social welfare, fulfilling commitments made in election manifestos while responding to the immediate needs of citizens. By prioritising EWS women, the government ensures that welfare measures target those who most require assistance, strengthening the social safety net in the city.

Through this Holi LPG scheme, the Delhi government under CM Rekha Gupta demonstrates a proactive approach to governance, blending seasonal festival relief with long-term empowerment initiatives. The program aligns with the BJP’s broader welfare agenda, which includes health, nutrition, and financial aid schemes, and underscores the administration’s dedication to alleviating poverty and supporting low-income households across Delhi.

With the rollout of free cooking gas cylinders for EWS women, the Delhi government continues to set benchmarks for inclusive governance, ensuring that women from economically weaker sections can celebrate festivals without financial stress. This scheme, along with other welfare measures, marks a significant step in realising election promises and building sustainable support mechanisms for the city’s most vulnerable citizens.

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