IMPHAL, APRIL 14: Under the directive of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas - Sapka Saath Sabka Gaoo ka Vikas Sammelan, 573 villages in Manipur have been identified for conversion to "Smokeless Villages" (100% Domestic LPG provision/ conversion) by May 5, 2018. This initiative is to be executed by Indian Oil in consultation and assistance of State Government, Stephen Chinkhanson Guite, Manager - LPG Sales, Imphal, Silchar Area office, IOC stated.
While announcing that Ujjwala Diwas will be celebrated in Manipur on April 20 as part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan an initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development, Stephen Guite said that Ujjwala Divas will be conducted by all the LPG distributors in their own trading areas/ locations. During the program Ujjwala LPG connections to BPL families will be given away, Safety Clinic, Ujjwala awareness, LPG benefits etc will be covered. Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats will be also held on Ujjwala Diwas, to bring awareness to villages and knowledge/ experience sharing by involving local/ village leaders, he added.
The official then stated that Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats are already being held across the State with the initiative of LPG Distributors in conducting local level meetings and awareness programs on LPG and PMUY Schemes. Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, a Village development mission will begin from April 14 and conclude on May 5, 2018, wherein 573 villages "are to be made smokeless" with the use of PMUY and revised and expanded PMUY Scheme.
Ujjwala was launched a year and a half back with the aim of providing women what is their right: right to clean energy, right to a life free from drudgery, free from smoke and ill health. With the connections being in women�s name and the subsidy being transferred to their bank accounts, PMUY has ushered in a balance of power within the household unit.Switching to LPG is giving women the opportunity to choose how to best use their time, a chance?that may allow them to better take advantage of development opportunities and empower themselves.
