Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in his home constituency Billawar to provide free LPG connections to BPL households.After the launch, the Dy CM gave away free LPG connection documents to 60 eligible women beneficiaries of the area.Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister said that the initiative, in line with creating smokeless villages across the state, has come as a moment of pride for the women of BPL households. “The LPG connection on her name has given an new identity to the woman own and now she can have a smoke-free, less polluted, convenient and healthy environment at her home” Dy CM said.He said the scheme is more beneficial for the women residing in hilly areas who generally use firewood for cooking which is a difficult task to procure. “The government has decided to address their problems and lend them a helping hand by providing them LPG connections” he added and said early verification of the beneficiaries will be ensured to enable them to get supply of cylinders soon.
Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, he said that so far only 60 percent women in the country use clean cooking fuel i.e. LPG. The government has set the target of providing 100 percent LPG connection in every home by 2020 under PMUY, he informed.Deputy CM also highlighted UJALA, the government scheme launched across the state for providing LED bulbs at subsidized rates to the consumers. He said under UJALA scheme consumers can purchase upto 5 LED bulbs at a rate of Rs 20 each of 7 or 9 watt by showing their electricity bill or the identity cards. If the consumers want to purchase more than 5 bulbs, charges will be Rs 95 per bulb. The scheme is expected to bring down the power bills and save the electricity for the state & for the nation as well.Later in the day, Dy. CM reviewed the progress achieved under various development projects initiated in Billawar. He directed SDM and Tehsildar Billawar to adhere to the guidelines for timely completion of these projects.