By Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) a centrally sponsored scheme has seen failed to end miseries of people in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where BPL beneficiaries are still waiting for free gas connections.
The scheme was launched in 2016, originally targeted giving LPG connections to mostly rural women members of below the poverty line (BPL) households. The list was later expanded to include all SC/ST households and forest dwellers among others. The scheme is now being extended to all poor households.
Residents from various villages include Dialgam wanihama Kamad larkipora Tarkutachloo Bijbehara and Bonnmohla Dooru in Anantnag District of south kashmir told to INS that in May 2016 they were asked to submit documents to avail gas connections in their respective areas, but they are yet to be benefited.
Sajad Ahmad, a local resident said that PMUY was especially for BPL families but shockingly Above Poverty Line (APL) families were given the connections.
Three years have passed but we still waiting for much-hyped gas connections, He said he along with many other families visited the concerned officials but they have turned deaf ears towards them. Added that under the scheme, the government had promised to provide free LPG connections with a gas stove and regulators to BPL families in respective constituencies.
Government has failed to reach out poor people in the state and nothing has been left to the poor people,” he said. Despite repeated attempts to concerned authorities, nothing has changed on the ground level, sajad added.
According to Ali Mohammad Manager of Showkat Gas Agency Anantnag while talking to INS refuted the allegations of public and said that we have issued at least 750 connections under the scheme till date and get new registration 3471 we are giving first priority to BPL families and whosoever has completed documents will be provided connections,” he said.
Meanwhile INS tried to contact the District Commissioner Anantnag however his number comes out of reach.
