Lucknow, March 1 -- Ahead of Holi, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday released Rs.1,500 crore as a gas cylinder refill subsidy for 1.86 crore (18.6 million) beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme. The amount was distributed at a programme held at Lok Bhavan, where deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present.

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said Holi symbolised equality and social harmony. He said the refill subsidy scheme was launched in 2022 and beneficiaries could collect a filled LPG cylinder free of cost from their nearest agency before or after Holi.

"The guiding principle of the government is 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," he said, adding that the Ayushman Bharat scheme was p...