Out of targeted 35 lakh free LPG connections, 1 lakh connections to be issued in 15 days
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 28: Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan today formally launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The scheme provides free LPG connections to the women from BPL households.
The scheme was launched by the Chief Minister along with the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas at two separate functions organized at Srinagar and Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the initiative, in line with creating smoke-less villages across the country, has come as a moment of pride for the women in BPL- households for getting LPG connection as an identity of their own and to lead a smoke-free, less polluted, convenient and healthy life.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by the Prime Minister in May 2016. The scheme aims to safeguard the health of women and children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG, so that they don't have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas collecting firewood.
Under PMUY, 5 crore LPG connections will be provided to BPL families across the country during the next three years. For Jammu and Kashmir, a target of 35 lakh connections has been set under PMUY out of which 1 lakh connections area to be provided during next 15 days. Ensuring women's empowerment, especially in rural India, the connections will be issued in the name of the woman in a family.
It was further informed that the enrolment of the BPL families have been made constituency wise all over the State and the deserving people shall be given free LPG connections along with a gas stove and a regulator.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan assured that LPG would be made available to everyone in the State. He said in next two years no home in J&K would be without LPG connection.
The Union Minister also announced that a new LPG bottling plant would be started in Kargil, while gas production would be increased in Leh.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that keeping the geographical area in mind, PMYU scheme is a must for our State.
Appreciating the role played by the FCS&CA, and Oil Companies during the recent unrest, the Minister said that despite tough political situation still our dedicated employees managed to distribute one lakh forty thousand metric tonnes of rice in last three months. Likewise nine like LPG cylinders were distributed, he added.
