Jammu, Jan 13 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir governmenttoday said it has achieved a target of 75 per cent in theimplementation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) byproviding free LPG gas connections to 3.70 lakh below povertyline households in the state.
"Out of 4.90 lakh total eligible applicants, thegovernment has provided free LPG gas connections to 3.70 lakhBPL households in the state," Minister for Food, CivilSupplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said at afunction in Rajouri district.
He said the state is proud to take lead over rest of thestates in the country in implementation of PMUY with 75 percent target achievement.
The function was organised by a private gas agency fordistribution of free gas connections at koteranka.
As many as 510 gas connections were distributed.
The females from BPL households were provided with setsof chulha, cylinder, gas pipe, regulator and safety manual, anofficial spokesman said.
While deliberating on PMUY, the minister said the schemewas launched with a declared aim to safeguard the health ofwomen and children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel– LPG, so that they do not have to compromise on their healthin smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas for collectingfirewood.
"The government is endeavouring to zero down thedependence on firewood, coal and dung-cakes as primary sourceof cooking fuel because smoke from burning such fuels causesalarming household pollution and adversely affect the healthof women and children causing several respiratory diseases anddisorders," he said.
He said the cent percent implementation of scheme wouldnot only save many precious lives of females and children butrelieve them from the drudgery of collecting firewood. PTI TASMKJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.