PM Interacts with Ujjwala beneficiaries across the Country

• PM interacts with Ujjwala beneficiaries across the country 
• Additional Rs. 5,000 crore allocations made to achieve the target

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today interacted with Ujjwala beneficiaries across the country, through video conference.

Three Ujjwala beneficiaries were present at each of over 600 centres across the length and breadth of the country, for this interaction.

An estimated 10 lakh people viewed the interaction through various platforms, which included the Narendra Modi App and various television news channels and social media platforms, among others.

Expressing happiness at being able to interact with the beneficiaries, and share their experiences, through technology, the Prime Minister said that the Ujjwala scheme has become a symbol of progress. He added that it is driving remarkable social transformation, which is in turn, influencing the holistic development of the country.

Approximately 4 crore women in rural areas have received LPG connections so far, through the Ujjwala Yojana. In all, nearly 10 crore new LPG connections have been issued in the four years since 2014, as compared to 13 crore in the nearly six decade period from 1955 to 2014.

In his initial remarks, the Prime Minister quoted a story written by Munshi Premchand in 1933, to highlight the importance of easing the lives of home-makers. He said Ujjwala has brought about benefits through better health outcomes, freedom from poisonous smoke and cleaner fuel. He said women now have a greater opportunity to earn extra income, as time spent on cooking has been reduced.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Union Government has been paying attention to ensure that there are no middlemen involved in this scheme, and the beneficiaries are chosen through a transparent process.

He said that 69 percent villages in India now have 100 percent LPG penetration, while 81 percent villages have more than 75 percent LPG penetration.

Interacting with the Prime Minister, beneficiaries explained how the LPG connection had reduced time spent on cooking, and enhanced the quality of life for the entire family.

Odisha

Prime Minister has also interacted with tribal beneficiaries of Ujjwala Yojana in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha during the video conferencing today morning. He said, for the first time poor people are getting LPG connections without giving any bribe or middle men. The BPL beneficiaries will get enough time to look after their families instead of going for collecting wooden fuel in nearby areas. He said the earthen chullahs will be the thing of the past. A poor women can have the privilege of using clean fuel which can boost the health of the entire family. Prime Minister said that, LPG connection and clean fuel was not a priority for the earlier governments. Now his government is focusing on providing LPG connectivity to all in a time bound manner. This can save forest and also counter climate change, the Prime Minister said.

Later, interacting with women beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana in Bhubaneswar, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Sri Dharmendra Pradhan said that, Ujjwala Yojana could boost socio economic upliftment. In earlier days only influential and affluent people were getting LPG connections. Now the NDA government has provided 10 crore new connections during the last 4 years. Out of this, 4 crore connections were given to BPL women. 45 per cent of the beneficiaries belong to SC/STs.

Union Minister Sri Pradhan said that, the Prime Minister has given a target of providing LPG connections to 8 crore BPL families by 2020. Rs. 5,000 crore additional allocations were made to achieve the target. All families in the country will be covered under LPG network within next 2 years. He said, so far 1300 petrol pumps were distributed among SC/ST youths during last 4 years. However, this number was only 900 during 2010-2014. The Petroleum Minister said that, during Rastriy Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from 14^th April to 5^th May 2018, 11 lakh LPG connections were provided in the country. During this period 16,000 LPG panchayats, Union Minister Pradhan said.