India, Jan. 21 -- The Delhi government has approved a welfare initiative to provide one free LPG cooking gas cylinder to economically weaker households in the Capital on the occasions of Holi and Diwali, said officials familiar with the decision on Tuesday.

The proposal was cleared during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with a budget of Rs.300 crore allocated for the scheme's implementation. The initiative forms part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) commitments made during the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year. In its election manifesto, the BJP had promised one free LPG cylinder each on Holi and Diwali for economically weaker families, along with an additional provision of subsidised cylinders at Rs.500.

With chief minister...