In a move that will benefit four lakh families, the Delhi government today decided to increase the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from nine to 12 for BPL families and other marginalised sections.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit as part of her government's 'kerosene-free Delhi scheme' launched last year.

"The decision of the Cabinet would go a long way in making women head of such families comfortable and satisfied as the families would continue to get three additional LPG subsidised cylinder even after the recent decision of the Union government," Dikshit told reporters after the meeting.

The decision comes days after the Centre increased the number of subsidised cylinders from six to nine.

However, the Delhi government had in November itself decided to provide nine subsidised LPG cylinders annually to around 3.56 lakh poor families identified under kerosene-free Delhi scheme.

Today's decision will benefit around four lakh BPL/AAY/ JRC cardholders.

"My government is sensitive to the needs of the poor in the capital city. Hence it decided to bear the expenses to provide three subsidised LPG cylinders to the beneficiaries of the scheme," Dikshit said.

She said her government would release an additional Rs 15 crore for the move.

In September, the Centre had decided that each household will get six cylinders of 14.2-kg per annum at the subsidised rate and any requirement beyond that would have to be procured at market rate.

Last August, Delhi government launched the Kerosene-Free Delhi scheme in August by giving free gas stoves, cylinder and regulator to all families covered under BPL, Antyodaya Anna Yojna and Jhuggi Ration Card.