Poverty prevents refilling of LPG cyclinders amongst Ujjwala beneficiaries in hills
Poverty prevents refilling of LPG cyclinders amongst Ujjwala beneficiaries in hills
Pithoragarh, Dec 21
A total of 1631 women beneficiaries, out of a total 10803 given free of cost LPG connections,in Bageshwar district under Ujjawala scheme, were unable to refill the cylinder from last one year, due to lack of money due to poverty.
“The price of cylinder is already high in the hills as it costs additional to bring LPG cylinder from road head to the village. The fire wood is much cheaper, that is why I have restarted cooking on wood fuel,” said Madhwi Devi of Simtoli village, who could not refill the LPG cylinder from last one year given to her under Ujjwala scheme. Madhwi appealed to government that the filling of LPG cylinders should also be free for poor families
Another Ujjawala consumer, Nema Devi, resident of Jaulkandey village of Bageshwar district has said that due to high cost of LPG cylinders, she is in position only to fill 2 cylinders in a year and has opted to cook in wood fuel.” Due to lack of money, we prefer to cook on fire wood,” said Neema.
Bageshwar District Supply Officer Manoj Kumar Barman has said that the biggest reason of not using LPG is traditional attitude of villagers to cook on fire wood. some villagers opt firewood due to attitude and easy availability of firewood.” If not filled according to norms, the oil company can cease the LPG connection of any consumer, I advise the LPG consumer to fill the cylinder on time,” said the Bageshwar Supply Officer.
