Pradhan holds meeting over the launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yoajna

The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas (I/C) Dharmendra Pradhan 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.

During the course of the video conference, OMC officers from 13 states participated in the discussion.