Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today said that Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti will launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the state on September 28.Separate functions will be organized in Srinagar and Jammu on same day to distribute free LPG connections under the scheme among the BPL women beneficiaries of the state.This was informed by the Minister while chairing a review meeting with the representatives of oil companies here today.Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a welfare scheme of Government of India launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year with an aim to provide 5 Crore LPG connections in the name of women from BPL households across the country.Directing the representatives of oil companies, the Minister asked them to expedite the process of identifying real beneficiaries in tendem with district administration and complete all formalities in time so that they can receive the LPG connection documents on the launching ceremony.
The Minister also asked the oil companies to meet the set target of 1 lakh connections to the beneficiaries of the state in Phase-I.Zulfkar also reviewed the process of shifting of oil depot from Jammu city and directed the concerned to expedite the process and asked Director FCS&CA Jammu G S Chib to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with oil companies in this regard.While reviewing the home delivery system of LPG to the consumers, the Minister asked them to ensure effective system of delivery and instructed to stop point delivery system in municipal limits. He asked all the Assistant Directors of the department to get the consolidated rates and locations approved by the District Magistrate and notified by Director FCS.The Minister asked them to pace up the works of seeding Aadhar card with bank account numbers and to hold special awareness camps for the consumers so that the subsidy amount will be directly transferred into their accounts.He directed the oil companies to clear the formalities for opening up of new petrol pumps and LPG agencies with strict adherence to the safety norms.
Zulfkar also reviewed the stock supply position of essentials in the state and directed for adequate supply of petroleum products in valley and to maintain reserve of petrol and diesel for 15 days. It was informed to the Minister was apprised that there is sufficient stock available in all the regions.Status of establishment of oil depot at Anantnag was reviewed and interested oil company was asked to initiate the process soon. He assured all possible support from the government to establish the depot to cater to the need of the people of valley.It was informed in the meeting, that the oil companies will adopt three government schools of tribal areas under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).The Minister was informed that GPS on 45 trucks carrying kerosene oil in Jammu province have been installed for tracking purpose.In a meeting held later, the Minister reviewed the functioning of Legal Metrology department and exhorted upon the officials to intensify market checks and penalize those who do not adhere to LMD laws. He asked them to put concerted efforts in making LMD a revenue generating organization.
Joint Controller LMD Jammu, V S Sambyal informed the Minister that the department has realized revenue of Rs 54.60 lacs till the month of August which is more than Rs 5.98 lacs as compared to last year.
Rs 19.78 lacs have been realized as fine for various offences till this month against Rs of 18.08 lacs during last year. He also informed that the department has realized Rs 1.17 lakhs during the special raids conducted during festival days. A total of 8704 market inspections till the month of August have also been conducted.Zulfkar directed the Joint Controller to expedite the process of identifying land for the establishment of labs in the districts. He also stressed on organizing camps on consumer awareness in all the districts and to make it a regular exercise.The Minister also asked the department to provide a Toll Free number to the consumers on which they can lodge their complaints.Director FCS&CA Jammu G S Chib, Deputy Controller LMD, Manoj Prabhakar, Deputy Director FCS&CA, representatives of oil companies and concerned officers were present in the meeting.