Pics: Abhijith Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (ANK) 

Mangaluru, Jan 25: Member of Parliament Prahlad Joshi inaugurated mass convention of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and distribution of LPG connections to beneficiaries under extended - Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana - 2 scheme at B C Road, near here on Friday, January 25. 

Addressing the gathering MP Prahlad Joshi said, "I had reviewed the existence of gas connection in the country. The provision of gas cylinder was started in the year 1955. Before the Vajpayee tenure only seven crore people had gas connections. During Vajpayee government six crore more people benefited with gas connection. But UPA, in its complete tenure, gave gas connection to maximum 15 crore people,"  

"When Modi came in to power, he asked us to frame a policy so that the gas connection should reach out to every household. There is difference between those who do research on poverty and those who face poverty and the latter know how to find a solution. Since the inception of PMUY, six crore people have benefitted," he added. 

"Some question about Acche din. Acche din comes for people not for the Congress party. For congress, Acche din never comes. When UPA government was in power, they used to do only seven kilometers of national highway per day. When Vajpayee came to power, this was extended to 13 kilometers per day. Now, after Modi came to power, national highway work is completed at the rate of 40 kilometers per day,” Prahlad Joshi informed. 

Continuing his address he further said, "Congress has looted this country more than the British did. Our country was one among the five fragile countries. Now it has attained fifth position in terms of economic growth. If it has to reach number one position, then people should bless Modi in the upcoming elections. Rahul Gandhi is one who makes the speech which is written by others,"  

"Rafael deal was brought by Vajpayee government as per the demand of air force. When UPA government came to power, they delayed this for 10 years and never fulfilled the demands. Now they unnecessarily accuse BJP on Rafale deal. The problem of duplicate Gandhi is in their DNA. Throughout the Congress regime, since Nehru, the government was involved in one or the other scam. Now Priyanka Gandhi has entered into politics. People should not forget that Priyanka Gandhi is the wife of Robert Wadra, who is involved in several land scams."  

"Now Narendra Modi has come to change this country with lots of people-friendly schemes," he added. 

Minister for drinking water and sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi said, "Close to 10 crore people did not have gas connections. Now, due to the decision of Modi, close to six crore people have benefitted with this PMUY scheme. Many governments came and went, but they did not have concern for women and for poor. Modi took the initiative and made this gas connection to reach every household with this scheme. Modi government has given corruption-free administration, whereas, Congress, in the name of poverty, gained vote but never favoured the poor. Modi has introduced 40 schemes for the poor which have reached every household in the country."  

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "The PMUY has reached six crore people and we will distribute gas connection to 42 beneficiaries symbolically. Within a week Beltangady will be a smoke-free taluk. Similarly, all taluks will become smoke-free in coming days. I have been criticized in last 10 years. But I am proud that every scheme which was introduced by Modi has reached to the doorsteps in the district with the help of 23 mass conventions,"  

Meanwhile, title deeds for gas distribution to the gas agency and beneficiaries were distributed.  

Government introduced PMUY scheme for which a budgetary provision of Rs 12,800 crore was provided for releasing five crore LPG connections to women member of BPL households by March 2019 and additional three crore LPG connections by March 2020. The scheme was formally launched in the country by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2016 and the scheme was launched in the state in 2017.  

PMUY is a revolution which has removed smoke from the kitchens of the poor households in the country by providing them accessibility to clean cooking fuel LPG and making it one of the largest social inclusion initiative ever.  

Since the inception, 60797136 connections are released by oil companies on all India basis under the scheme and more than 19 lac connections are released in Karnataka. Further, national LPG coverage which was less than 62% as on April 1, 2016, has risen to 89.5% as on January 24, 2019 and in Karnataka it rose from 68.4% in 2014 to 97% till date. 

To make LPG affordable to poor families, OMC's have introduced five kg refill option to Ujjwala beneficiaries where in Ujjwala beneficiaries can swap her 14.2 Kg cylinder with five kg refill and vice versa.  

In order to protect the customers from volatility in the price of LPG in the international market, the difference between RSP and subsidized price is transferred directly to customers' bank account. Thus the net price to the customer is not affected. Current RSP of 14.2 kg cylinder is Rs 667 and subsidy amount is Rs 173. So the net price to the customer is Rs 494. 

Manohar Prasad compered the programme.  

MLA's Rajesh Naik, Vedavyas Kamath, Umanath Kotian, Sanjeeva Matandoor, Dr Bharath Y Shetty, Harish Poonja, S Angara, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, Zilla Panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu and others were present.