Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan has 90 per cent health insurance coverage as compared to the the national average of 41 per cent, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday, attributing the success to schemes such as the Chiranjeevi Bima Yojana.

The state government has also made medical interventions such as kidney and knee replacements free of cost at its hospitals, and this has come as a relief to the people, he said after flagging off 167 new '108-emergency ambulances' from here.

Gehlot said against the national average of 41 per cent, Rajasthan has 90 per cent coverage of health insurance, while the coverage is 15.9 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 22.4 per cent in Maharashtra and 44 per cent in Gujarat.

"...Rajasthan is becoming a leading state in the country in health services. The schemes which we have been introduced here are being talked about in the country. I believe that other states and the Centre would also have to implement (such schemes)," the chief minister told reporters.

Gehlot said the state government's Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme, which provides a Rs 10-lakh cover, has come as a relief for people.

Targeting the BJP, he said while it spreads hate, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been talking about removing hatred and spreading love.

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New Delhi (PTI): The price of commercial LPG was hiked by the steepest ever Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder on Friday, marking the third straight monthly increase due to rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.

A 19-kg commercial LPG - used by establishments such as hotels and restaurtants - now costs a record Rs 3,071.5 in Delhi as against Rs 2,078.50 previously.

Rates were last increased by 195.50 per cylinder on April 1. Prior to that, prices had gone up by Rs 114.5 per 19-kg cylinder on March 1.

In three increases, commercial LPG rates have gone up by Rs 1,303.

Prices of domestic cooking gas LPG - the one used in household kitchens - remained unchanged. Domestic LPG rates were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum revise ATF and LPG prices on the first day of every month based on international benchmarks and the exchange rate.

Global oil prices have shot up almost 50 per cent after the war in West Asia disrupted energy supply chains.

Petrol and diesel prices continue to remain frozen after a Rs 2 per-litre reduction in March last year; petrol currently costs Rs 94.72 per litre in Delhi and diesel Rs 87.62.