Union MoS vows LPG connection to all
Source: Chronicle News Service DIPR/PIB

Imphal, November 11 2021: Union minister of state for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment Rameswar Teli distributed LPG connections to 20 women beneficiaries under Ujjwala 2.0 scheme during a function organised by the Imphal Division of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Mela Ground Unity Hall, Thoubal on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, the union minister stressed that those households yet to have LPG connection should avail the benefit of the scheme.

Along with a deposit free LPG connection, Ujjwala 2.0 is providing the first refill and hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries, he added.

"We envisage a smoke free India by providing LPG connections to additional one crore households under Ujjwala 2.0," the minister said.

While highlighting the benefit of the centrally spon -sored scheme, Teli continued that LPG stoves should be there in every household across the country.

Informing that India has 29 crore families out of which around 10 crore were unable to use LPG gas connections due to poverty, he noted that these families rely on traditional fuel like wood, coal and kerosene for cooking which affect their health.

Understanding their plight and in order to improve their condition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PMUY, he said, adding that this scheme has been considerably improving the living conditions of the rural poor womenfolk.

The MoS also informed that till November 1, 2021, altogether 172 Retail Outlets (fuel) and 101 LPG distribution centres have been opened in the state.

After the success of the Ujjwala 1.0, the Narendra Modi led government launched Ujjwala 2.0 with the objective of covering the households which are yet to switch over to LPG stoves.

After eight crore households have been benefited by the Ujjwala 1.0, the centre extended the scheme to cover one crore more beneficiaries, he pointed out.

Rameswar further informed that 1.56 lakh households had been covered in the first phase of the scheme and since the launch of the second phase in August this year, free LPG connection had been provided to 8,500 households till November 1 in Manipur.

The union minister assured all possible assistance from the ministry in bringing development to the state and added that both the central and the state governments work under the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

Regarding selection of Thoubal district for the distribution of free gas connection under Phase II, the MoS said that it is launched in districts where gas connection was below 90 per cent of the intended beneficiaries.

Works minister Th Biswajit, who also attended the function, said that the scheme is a part of empowerment of women which the Modi-led government at the centre is giving emphasis.

"This is not election campaign for BJP but to empower women," he asserted, while adding that the BJP-led government at the centre is committed to make India self-reliant and without making Manipur a self-reliant state, India cannot be a self-reliant country.

To achieve the goal, empowering women is a must.

So, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving emphasis on improving the condition of women, he maintained.

For Thoubal district, altogether 14,362 connections were provided under Phase-I and another 1,908 free connections have been provided so far in the district under Phase-II of the scheme, Biswajit informed, while maintaining that the scheme has reduced the hardships faced by rural women folk, and now they don't have to compromise with their health in smoky kitchens or roam around in unsafe areas to collect firewood.

Highlighting several social security schemes including women-oriented schemes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao undertaken by the present government, Biswajit said that Mary Kom's nomination to the Rajya Sabha is in recognition of women's contribution to the society.

The function was also attended by BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sharda Devi, MLA P Brojen, Thoubal deputy commissioner A Subhash, CAF& PD director Robertson Asem, officials of the Imphal Division of IOC and officials of Thoubal district administration, among others.

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