Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister takes stock of preparedness of implementation of PradhanMantri Ujjwala Yoajna
The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas (I/C) Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today held a meeting through Video Conferencing with the Officers of State level Units of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) regarding the preparedness for the launch of PradhanMantri Ujjwala Yojana. Under the Scheme, 5 crore women beneficiaries belonging to BPL families will be provided with free LPG connections in next three years. 1.5 crore connections would be provided in 2016-17.
Speaking to the officers, the Minister said that the scheme is an opportunity to do something for the poor of the country and there should be wholehearted participation of OMCs in it. He said that detailed guidelines for the scheme will be issued soon. The Minister said that identification of the BPL beneficiaries will be based on the socio-economic caste census, which is a scientific list, agreed upon by both the States and the Centre. He said OMCs must appoint Nodal Officers for the scheme at the State and district levels. He also urged the management of OMCs to appoint women officers who will spearhead the implementation of the scheme. There would be regular monitoring of the scheme at his level so that the targets are achieved in a time bound manner. Focus of the scheme will be on priority States where LPG penetration is below the national average.
Shri Pradhan said that OMCs must be ready with the infrastructure and setup to implement the scheme in an effective manner. He said that besides 5 crores BPL connections, 5 crore non-BPL families will also have to be provided LPG connections in next three years. He said that the Companies must appoint new Gas Distributors immediately to cope up with the demand of LPG connections to the poor.
The Minister said that there should be a focused approach for the scheme. He said that BPL families belong to the bottom of the pyramid and this being one of the Governments major welfare initiative for them, there should not be any shortcoming in delivery of services.
During the course of the video conference, OMC officers from 13 states participated in the discussion.
Speaking to the officers, the Minister said that the scheme is an opportunity to do something for the poor of the country and there should be wholehearted participation of OMCs in it. He said that detailed guidelines for the scheme will be issued soon. The Minister said that identification of the BPL beneficiaries will be based on the socio-economic caste census, which is a scientific list, agreed upon by both the States and the Centre. He said OMCs must appoint Nodal Officers for the scheme at the State and district levels. He also urged the management of OMCs to appoint women officers who will spearhead the implementation of the scheme. There would be regular monitoring of the scheme at his level so that the targets are achieved in a time bound manner. Focus of the scheme will be on priority States where LPG penetration is below the national average.
Shri Pradhan said that OMCs must be ready with the infrastructure and setup to implement the scheme in an effective manner. He said that besides 5 crores BPL connections, 5 crore non-BPL families will also have to be provided LPG connections in next three years. He said that the Companies must appoint new Gas Distributors immediately to cope up with the demand of LPG connections to the poor.
The Minister said that there should be a focused approach for the scheme. He said that BPL families belong to the bottom of the pyramid and this being one of the Governments major welfare initiative for them, there should not be any shortcoming in delivery of services.
During the course of the video conference, OMC officers from 13 states participated in the discussion.
