Extending the benefits of Government of India’s flagship programme Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY) to the deserving beneficiaries, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today distributed 100 LPG connections among poor women of Panchayat Hakkel in Raipur-Domana area.Addressing an impressive gathering at a function organized at Chatha Mill locality near here today, the Minister said that the present Government is committed to uplift the living standards of the poor for which numerous welfare schemes have been launched. The PMUY is also one of the welfare initiatives launched by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to support the poor women by providing free gas connections to get rid from unhygienic traditional Chullahs. This special scheme is aimed at making the homes and localities smoke-free, which were major source of many ailments to the women folk, said the Minister.The Minister stressed the need for appropriate steps for ensuring cent percent coverage of BPL beneficiaries under the scheme to achieve the objective of the programme. It is endeavor of the Pradhan Mantri to provide 5 crore gas connections to the BPL families across the country in the first instance and the State Government will step up efforts to extend the benefits to the deserving lot, said the Minister.
Maintaining that the BJP formed the Government for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir with PDP only for the sake of ensuring all round development of the State, the Minister said that the tempo of development started immediately after coming into power, but with a little pause due to unfortunate demise of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed the process slowed down. Now the activities have been stepped up to accomplish the ongoing projects in a time-bound manner with special focus on quality of works.The Minister referred to the initiatives taken in Raipur-Domana and said that during the past over six months, more than 100 KM road length has been blacktopped providing relief to the rural masses from the hardship of torn-off infrastructure. He asked the people to maintain close liaison with the administration to ensure fast-track development and availing benefits of several welfare schemes.Responding to the demand of the locals, the Minister announced construction of 2.5 kilometer road from Hakkal to Pancayat Ghar at an estimated cost of Rs 1.07 crore. He also assured to address all other demands which were projected before him.Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Director Health Services, Dr Gurjeet Singh, Executive Engineer, R&B (Rural), BJP functionaries, Ved Prakash Sharma, Pitamber Sharma, Jagtar Singh Jagga, Harbans Choudhary, Happy Singh, Ashok Sharma, Babbu Charak and Anil Kumar.