Central Government held a Union Cabinet Meeting in New Delhi on March 24. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur announced many schemes and benefits for the public. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved a subsidy of Rs.200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The Union Cabinet has also approved to release an additional installment of Dearness Allowance to Central Governments employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners with effect from 01.01.2023. The additional installment will represent an increase of 4 per cent over the existing rate of 38 pc of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise. The combine impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 12,815.60 crore per annum. This will benefit about 47.58 lakh Central Governments employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners. This increase is in accordance with the accepted formular which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.