Paris, Oct 22 (IANS): French Prime Minister Jean Castex has announed a special inflation allowance of 100 euros ($116) for people with a net monthly income less than 2,000 euros.

Speaking on public television TF1, the Prime Minister on Thursday night explained that, due to the high fuel price, his government decided to offer an inflation allowance of 100 euros for people whose net monthly income is lower than 2,000 euros across the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to him, 38 million people will be eligible for this special allowance which would be credited automatically.

Castex said this would cost the country 3.8 billion euros, adding that France could handle this spending without exceeding its 5 per cent target of deficit for the year 2022.

He also announced locking gas prices throughout 2022 to deal with a record spike in energy prices.

France has seen a rapid growth of energy prices in the past few months.

The diesel price reached 1.56 euros per litre on average and 1.62 euros for gasoline, both being record high prices.