On 1 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a Rs 8,000 crore scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’ to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to poor families as he attacked previous governments for just paying lip service to reducing poverty.
Calling himself ‘Shramik No 1’ (Worker No 1), he listed out initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of labourers.
Poverty, he said, can be eradicated only if poor are empowered, given resources and opportunities as well as education, jobs, houses, drinking water and electricity.
He questioned the policies pursued by the previous government for poverty eradication, saying poverty has only increased during past years.
We are working to fight poverty.Narendra Modi
PM Modi added that under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, free LPG connections will be provided in the name of women members of BPL households.
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In the first year, 1.5 crore such connections will be released and the target of 5 crore will be completed in three years, he said, comparing it to the just 13 crore LPG connections provided in 60 years of independence.
In my first speech in Central Hall of Parliament after BJP government came to power (in 2014), I had said my government is dedicated to poor. Whatever this government does will be for the benefit of the poor and for the welfare of poor.Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Modi said as he listed out various labour-friendly initiatives, including raising minimum pension to Rs 1,000 and introduction of labour identification number (LIN).
The maximum wage that entitles bonus to workers has been raised to Rs 21,000 from Rs 10,000 per month previously while the bonus limit too has been doubled to Rs 7,000.
Provident fund (PF) portability has been provided to help utilise the Rs 27,000 crore of retirement benefits lying unused because of workers changing jobs or cities.
Nearly Rs 5,000 crore of subsidy saved through the campaign is being used to provide LPG connection to the poor.
We have released 60 lakh new connection to poor in the last one year.PM Modi on LPG connections
Under the scheme launched Sunday, a financial support of Rs 1,600 for each LPG connection will be provided to the BPL households. The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the state governments and the Union Territories.
The country currently has 16.64 crore active LPG consumers.
Stating that LPG coverage is being increased, he said there are serious health hazards associated with cooking based on fossil fuels.
According to WHO estimates, about 5 lakh deaths occur in India alone due to unclean cooking fuels. Experts say having an open fire in the kitchen is like burning 400 cigarettes an hour.
Modi said he had last year pledged to electrify 18,000 villages where even an electricity pole has not reached so far, in next 1,000 days.
Uttar Pradesh, he said, has given many Prime Ministers to the country and he was fortunate that the state has accepted him.
The state had 1,529 villages where even electricity poles had not reached. In 250 days since the scheme was launched, 1,326 villages have been electrified and power supply started, he said adding the remaining villages would be covered soon.
PM Modi asked people to pledge not to pollute river Ganga to protect the environment and heritage.
Also read: Why Aadhaar is not Sudhar: Study Questions Savings in LPG Scheme
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