Scheme for Providing LPG Connections to Women Launched

BALLIA:
At Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the massive Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme to provide 5 crore LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the next 3 financial
years.
Addressing the large gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the participation of such a large number of people in an official programme related to development only proves that the schemes are actually reaching out to the beneficiaries even at grass roots levels.
Talking about PMUY, he said that that the Government of India had initiated the ‘Give It Up’ scheme on 27 March 2015 as an appeal to the ‘better –off’ sections of the society to give up their subsidy on LPG cylinders which then may be used to provide LPG connections to the poor.
My compliments to Dharmendra Pradhan and the entire Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for working on mission mode on this initiative and making it such a grand success”, said the Prime Minister. He also complimented the Minister and his team for re-orienting the priorities of the Ministry and for giving it a pro-poor tilt.
He also complimented each of the 1 crore consumers who responded to his appeal and gave up their subsidy on LPG fuel. He lauded their selfless contribution to the cause of nation building.
Elaborating on the PMUY, the Hon’ble Prime Minister said that over 5 crore BPL women would be provided LPG connections in the next three years, without having to pay any security deposit. The administrative cost of Rs. 1600 per connection, pressure regulator booklet and safety hose would be borne by the Government. The government aims at achieving the objective of providing relief to 5 crore women from the scourge of smoke and disease by the time the country celebrates the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
While dwelling on the steps taken to expand the coverage, the Hon'ble Prime Minister referred to the earlier practice of 25 coupons provided to each MP in a year. As against the earlier practice, he underscored the fact that in the last 2 years, 3 crore households have been provided with LPG connections. This he cited as an illustration of pro-active governance and part of the commitment of his government to uplift the cause of the poor and the down-trodden.
To cater to this increased demand for LPG, nearly 10,000 new distributorships and adequate infrastructure expansion plans are in the pipeline, which will lead to improved employment opportunities for the youth.
Earlier, while welcoming the Prime Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MoP&NG, underlined the importance of PMUY for mothers and sisters belonging to impoverished background. The scheme will free 5 crore women from the ill-effects of smoke and disease. He expressed confidence that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, the scheme would prove to be a
revolutionary step in women empowerment.