The Chamber of Deputies approved this Monday (2) the Provisional Measure (MP) that established the Gás do Povo programwhich guarantees free cooking gas (LPG) cylinders weighing 13 kilograms (kg) to families registered in the Single Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government (CadÚnico), and as long as they have income per capita of up to half the minimum wage.
There were 415 votes in favor and 29 against. The MP, whose validity ends on February 11, now goes to vote in the Senaof.
According to the Ministry of Development, Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS), the Gás do Povo should be fully operational in March, when 15 million families will benefit. The program aims to combat energy poverty, defined as a family’s difficulty in accessing essential and modern energy services, such as lighting, heating, refrigeration and energy for cooking. Currently, the program is installed in all capitals.
Gas Aid, the current benefit that allows around 4.4 million low-income families to purchase a 13 kg cylinder every two months, will be replaced. In its place, Gás do Povo consolidates free gas cylinders in more than 10 thousand accredited resellers spread across the country.
“Gás do Povo promotes dignity, loosens family budgets, guarantees security and energy inclusion”, stated the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanas-PB), during the voting session.
