Speaker, J&K Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta today said that launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a major initiative taken to improve the living standards of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families by empowering their female folk.Mr. Kavinder Gupta said this in a function organized to distribute Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections among female beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) here at Bhour Camp, Satwari.The Speaker said that use of LPG in households will help to protect the health of women and their families from ill effects of the traditional cooking methods.He further added that use of LPG in households will help in reducing serious health hazards associated with cooking done by using traditional methods. Mr. Gutpa said that the number of deaths caused by consuming unclean fuel would also be reduced to a great extent. It would also prevent young children from acute respiratory illnesses caused due to indoor air pollution by burning the fossil fuel, he added.The Speaker said that with Prime Minister’s initiative to give up LPG subsidy over one crore people voluntarily gave up their gas subsidy. The savings generated from this initiative are being utilized in providing subsidized LPG connections to the poor, he said.
Mr. Kavinder Gupta also assured that people who could not get enlisted in the present list would soon be covered in the subsequent camps to be held at panchayat level, thereby ensuring cent percent coverage.He said that the Government is committed to ensure LPG connection reaches every single householdMr. Kavinder Gupta also listed out various social elevation schemes launched by Centre and State Governments, and urged the people to avail benefits of these schemesHe stressed upon people to help disseminate information about these welfare programmes among others so that no household remains devoid of the benefits from these welfare schemes.During the camp, extensive training was also provided to the people regarding the use of LPG in homes, safety measures to be taken and do’s and don’ts to be considered while cooking on LPG.The Speaker was accompanied by SDM south Sonu Pargal.
Later, the Speaker participated in Children’s Day celebrations at Government Boys Middle School, Gorakh Nagar Jammu.The event also saw participation from students of Government Girls Middle School Gorakh Nagar, Government Primary School Pacca Talab along with the students from host school.Students of the schools presented a very impressive cultural programme which included skits, songs and dance items, representing the importance of children day, its history and significance.The Speaker appreciated the cultural presentations by the students, and stressed on the need for providing quality education to children belonging to disadvantaged sections of the society.He appreciated role of teachers in molding the young children and promoting their development to become capable of standing on their own feet, and discharging their obligations to the society.