Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Oct 22: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme here through distribution of gas coupons among Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The scheme provides free LPG connections to the women from BPL households.
Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Executive Councillor for FCS&CA Tenzin Sonam, Executive Councillor for Education and Power Advocate Mohammad Amir, Director FCS&CA Kashmir, Nissar Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Haji Gulzar Hussain and representatives of oil companies and other concerned officers were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said after the launch of PMUY in Kargil the entire State has now come under the ambit of the national scheme primarily initiated for the welfare of females.
Highlighting the importance of the scheme, the Minister said the initiative is a step to create smoke-less houses even in far off villages. He said the scheme aims to safeguard the health of women by providing them with a clean cooking fuel, adding it would also save them from going out in unsafe areas to collect the firewood.
He informed that from the intended target list of 8040 families who are selected as per the socio-economic survey, 2802 Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the district would be provided with LPG connections in the first phase.
The Minister directed the oil companies to do a survey so that every deserving family in the district is brought under the ambit of the scheme.
He assured that the Government is soon going to launch PMUY plus where all those whose names did not figure in the earlier list would be incorporated so that no deserving person misses the opportunity of availing the rightful benefit from the scheme.
The Minister said considering the remoteness and the geographical location of the area, the scheme assumes greater significance in the areas like Ladakh region. He called for raising awareness regarding the scheme among the masses living in far off villages.
Reiterating Government’s resolve of holistic development, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that present dispensation under the leadership of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is committed for the overall development of all the three regions of the State
On this occasion, the Minister announced that an LPG bottling plant will be established in the district soon. He informed that the land has been identified for the same and work on the project will soon be started.
The Minister also informed the gathering that 56 new gas agencies have been sanctioned for the State, out of which some would be opened in places like Drass, Zanaskar and Kargil and other areas in this region.
Besides, opening up of petrol and diesel depots in the district, the Minister also announced the setting up of six new petrol pumps in here.
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