Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said that the government has set the target of achieving hundred percent LPG coverage in rural areas by the end of 2018.Addressing a huge gathering after the launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme, here today at Chanderkote, the Minister said government would make every effort to expand the LPG coverage in the state. “Presently there is very low coverage in the state and in districts like Ramban only 17 percent households have LPG connections. We have set the target to provide LPG connections to all rural households by 2018” he said.Stressing on empowerment of rural women, he pitched for bringing them under the ambit of all flagship schemes initiated by the union Government.On the occasion, the Minister gave away three hundred free LPG connections to the eligible women beneficiaries under PMUY. In total 6084 beneficiaries have been so far registered for free LPG connections in the district.
He said that the main motive of district wise launch of the scheme is to ensure transparent and fair distribution of LPG connections besides spreading awareness about the scheme among the poor households who otherwise are deprived of such supportive schemes. He said in consonance to the commitment of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for empowerment of the women folk in all walks of life, the state government took one more step by decentralizing the process of distribution of free LPG connections among the targeted population. He said this step has taken the spirit of scheme to new heights.Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ramban Neelam Kumar Langeh, Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Ramban Ravinder Saddhu were also present at the launch ceremony.
While giving assurance for turning kitchens of BPL families into hygienic and clean cooking points, the Minister said that no poor women shall be left out from this facility by 2018 for which the Government is making spontaneous efforts to widen its outreach.Since Ramban is the most deserving district, each and every effort shall be made to extend the scope of this pro-poor scheme.The Minister informed that the scheme also have provision for providing insurance cover to the LPG-oven users in case of any unfortunate incident. He further said insurance cover include Rs 6 lakh per person in case of death, medical expenses upto Rs 2 lakh per person for injured and immediate relief upto Rs 25000 besides 2 lakh for property damage.The Minister also called upon the officers to create awareness among rural people about provisions of PMUY and other welfare schemes by organizing camps and other progarmmes. He also passed slew of instructions to the district administration for holding camps to enable all BPL families to upload their KYC documents for LPG connections.
To make the facility of LPG available at the door steps of villagers, the Minister said that block level distribution centres would be established in transparent and clean manner.
He further added that the quota of K.oil shall be enhanced in view of ensuing winters.Meanwhile, MLA Ramban apprised the Minister about various developmental activities in the district. It is worthwhile to mention here that the Indane agency has set up two counters at Ramban and Sangaldan for registration and uploading of the beneficiaries as per the survey of census 2011. Three blocks of the Gool Tehsil shall be covered by Sangaldan counter while the facility in Ramban will cover Batote, Banihal, Ukhral, Ramsoo, Rajgarh, Khari and Gandhari. Around 6084 beneficiaries have registered so far at the twin counters.Later, the Minister also reviewed the status of the allocation, supply position, targets achieved, lifting and distribution of food grains at all fair price shops in the district.Others present included Deputy Director Legal Metrology, Addl. SP, District Nodal Officer of Indane, Anil Tickoo, District Social Welfare Officers, Tehsildars, BDOs, TSOs, etc.