Will provide LPG connections to 25 lakh families in Chhattisgarh under PMUY: Raman Singh

Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Aug. 13 (ANI): Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana' (PMUY), Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday said it was a historic step for the state as well as for the nation. "The Prime Minister is going to give gifts to five crore women on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan under the Ujjwala Yojana. We will give gas connections to 25 lakh families in Chhattisgarh. We have a target of one lakh per month. We will try to reach to 26 lakh people in two years," Singh told the media here. Asserting that there would be dealership at 150 centres, Singh said the government would expand it every month. "The government of India has provided Rs. 1,600 subsidy. The state government is also giving that much subsidy. The customers will get money with a registration of Rs. 200. This is beneficial from the environment point of view as well as for the economic and rural welfare," he added. He thanked Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan for initiating the historic scheme. "Today is freedom from pollution, and it will bring happiness to 25 lakh families. The government will make infrastructure and go-downs. By using gas, women will be protected from TB and other lung-related deceases. It's a historic step for Chhattisgarh and the nation," he added. The ambitious social welfare scheme of the Narendra Modi Government was launched on May 1 at Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. With the Ujjwala Yojana, the government aims to provide Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to BPL households in the country. The scheme is aimed at replacing the unclean cooking fuels, mostly used in the rural India, with the clean and more efficient LPG. The scheme is aimed at providing 25 lakh LPG connections to women of BPL (Below Poverty Line) households across the state. Gas connections will be provided to them at a token fee of Rs 200. The scheme is aimed at empowering women and protecting their health, reducing the serious health hazards associated with cooking based on fossil fuel, reducing the number of deaths in India due to unclean cooking fuel and preventing young children from significant number of acute respiratory illnesses caused due to indoor air pollution by burning the fossil fuel. (ANI)