Pics: Kishore Peraje

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jul 24: MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, speaking after presiding over a convention of beneficiaries of the central government's ambitious 'Ujjwala' scheme, predicted that because of this scheme, the entire Dakshiha Kannada district will turn smoke-free within a year. The convention was held on Sunday July 23 at Buntara Bhavan here.

"On the basis of census undertaken in 2011, LPG kits have been distributed among 4,200 people out of 44,000. The other 40,000 will get their LPG connections within the next two months. All the eligible beneficiaries who have filed applications will get connections under Ujjwala Plus scheme within the next Deepavali," he stated.

He asked women to take interest in getting this free gas connection under a scheme conceived by the Prime Minister (PM) for enabling women to have a bright future. "As hearths using firewood adversely affect health of women, this free gas connection scheme was launched, under which the beneficiaries get a cylinder, regulator, Suraksha pipe and stove free of cost. He also announced that the first ever smoke-free village will get prize of one lac rupees.

The LPG customers have insurance cover to the extent of six lac rupees in case of death, personal compensation, medical insurance cover up to Rs 30 lac for each tragedy, personal compensation up to two lac rupees and medical compensation of Rs 25,000.

Sullia MLA, S Angara, praised former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current PM Narendra Modi for making LPG available freely. He recollected that during the previous UPA regime, LPG cylinders were getting hoarded and sold in black market.

Former minister and MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary said that Nalin Kumar Kateel has created a record at the state level in distribution of gas kits for the benefit of the people on such a large scale.

Nodal officer of Ujjwala scheme in Dakshina Kannada district N Naveen Kumar delivered introductory address. Zilla panchayat president, Meenakshi Shantigodu, vice president, Kasturi Panja, former Campco director, Sanjeev Matandoor, former MLAs, K Padmanabha Kottary, and A Rukmaya Poojary as well as HPCL manager Ramesh were at the dais.