SHILLONG: The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) to provide free LPG connections to women belonging to BPL households will be launched by Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain here on Monday.
As per the scheme, oil marketing companies will provide free LPG connections to poor women with an aim to empower them and bring about social transformation in their lives.
An official statement said on Sunday that availability of clean cooking fuel has been a major challenge for rural households in the country.
According to the Centre, lack of access to clean fuel adversely affects the health of particularly women and children in households using unclean fuel.
The government is committed to providing clean fuel to all poor households, the statement said.
The LPG connections in this scheme will be released in the name of women only.
Initial support of Rs 1,600 for providing an LPG connection would be given by the Centre for each new LPG connection in the form of cash assistance.
The Centre said while selection of beneficiaries will be from BPL families, preference will be given to SC/ST and weaker sections of society.
The beneficiary list will be as per the Socio Economic Caste Census, 2011 which was conducted in a transparent manner by the Ministry of Rural Development and State Government.
As far as implementation is concerned, women of the BPL households, who are not having LPG connections, can apply for a new LPG connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to the distributor.
While submitting the forms, women have to submit address proof, bank account and Aadhaar card, the statement said.
Oil marketing companies will organise camps at various locations for releasing LPG connections to BPL families.
