Centre to distribute 5 crore LPG connections in country: Narendra Singh Tomar

The Centre will distribute five crore LPG connections nationwide with a view to conserve the environment and protect women from pollution, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Wednesday.

"To conserve the environment and to protect women from pollution (caused by traditional cooking stoves and open hearths), the Modi government will distribute five crore LPG connections across the country. It will be given in the name of the women members of the family," the Union Minister of Steel and Mines said.

Under the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana', the Centre has recently launched an ambitious Rs 8,000 crore scheme for providing five crore free LPG connections to BPL families using the money saved from 1.13 crore cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies.

He was addressing a rally at Seevanpat village in Ghodadongri Assembly constituency, where a bypoll is scheduled to be held on May 30. The by-election was necessitated due to the death of BJP MLA Sajjan Singh Uikey.

BJP has fielded Mangal Singh Dhurve in the tribal dominated Ghodadongri (ST) constituency, while Congress has given ticket to former minister Pratap Singh Uikey.

Highlighting Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's development schemes, Tomar urged people to vote in favour of Dhurve and alleged that Congress leaders are no longer reliable.