SME Times News Bureau | 28 May, 2018
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with Ujjwala
beneficiaries across the country, through video conference.
Three
Ujjwala beneficiaries were present at each of over 600 centres across
the length and breadth of the country, for this interaction.
An
estimated 10 lakh people viewed the interaction through various
platforms, which included the Narendra Modi App and various
television news channels and social media platforms, among others.
Expressing
happiness at being able to interact with the beneficiaries, and share
their experiences, through technology, the Prime Minister said that
the Ujjwala scheme has become a symbol of progress.
He
added that it is driving remarkable social transformation, which is
in turn, influencing the holistic development of the country.
Approximately
4 crore women in rural areas have received LPG connections so far,
through the UjjwalaYojana.
In
all, nearly 10 crore new LPG connections have been issued in the four
years since 2014, as compared to 13 crore in the nearly six decade
period from 1955 to 2014.
In
his initial remarks, the Prime Minister quoted a story written by
Munshi Premchand in 1933, to highlight the importance of easing the
lives of home-makers.
He
said Ujjwala has brought about benefits through better health
outcomes, freedom from poisonous smoke andcleaner fuel. He said women
now have a greater opportunity to earn extra income, as time spent on
cooking has been reduced.
Modi
emphasized that the Union Government has been paying attention to
ensure that there are no middlemen involved in this scheme, and the
beneficiaries are chosen through a transparent process.
He
said that 69 percent villages in India now have 100 percent LPG
penetration, while 81 percent villages have more than 75 percent LPG
penetration.
Interacting
with the Prime Minister, beneficiaries explained how the LPG
connection had reduced time spent on cooking, and enhanced the
quality of life for the entire family.