Union P&NG Minister and Gujarat CM launch One lakh PM’s LPG Panchayats at Gandhinagar

Ahmedabad: Union Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today launched the nationwide ‘One Lakh Prime Minister’s LPG Panchayats’ scheme from the soil of Gujarat with a token distribution of a cooking gas cylinder to one Kokilaben Parmar at a function at Mota-Isanpur village near Gandhinagar.

The function marks distribution of three-crore (30-million) gas connections in 710 districts in the country in the last 16 months, as part of the PM’s Ujjwala Yojna launched on May 15, 2016, as well as launching One Lakh LPG Panhayats for families under Ujjwala Plus Yojna who were not covered under Ujjwala Yojna. Kokilaben thus became the 30th million recipient.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rupani said the scheme is to provide smoke-free cooking gas connection to every poor family as part of the Centre’s women’s empowerment, hopefully changing the lifestyle of village women and improve their health. Earlier, getting cooking gas cylinder connection used to be dream in the past. He called for judicious use of scarce natural resources like water and petroleum gas.

As different from the previous Government’s mere slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’, the Chief Minister listed the Narendra Modi Government’s various schemes for the poor like Jan Dhan, Mudra, establishing itself as a truly Garibo-ki Sarkar’. A situation is created to build toilet in every home by next Gandhi Jayanti.

He also listed Gujarat Government’s pro-people schemes like Ma Vatsalya as Rs.2-lakh healthcare cover, full meal for poor at Rs.10, wheat at Rs.2/kg and rice at Rs.3/kg, doubling pension of widows and caring for visually challenged.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that Prime Minister desired to provide five-crore gas connections, now through one lakh LPG Panchayats, to be held across the country, 100 cylinders in each Panchayat. The Panchayats will explain the security features of the gas cylinders and their additional advantages. The scheme will also provide five lakh new employment.

HPCL Executive Director Rajvi Jain in welcome address explained the benefits of cooking gas cylinder, as Mittalben Joshi, Sudhaben Sadhu and Bijalben Patel explained how to repair burner and where to call helpline number.

Those present on the occasion included Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Shambhuji Thakor, MP Kirit Solanki, MLA Ashokbhai Patel, Sarpanch Ramabhai, Petroleum Secretary Ashutosh Jindal, Civil Supplies Principal Secretary Sangita Singh, District Collector Satish Patel, donors and villagers.

– Information