The Government on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much acclaimed Ujjwala Yojana is successful in State with higher retention rate of gas connections. According to government estimates out of total beneficiaries, around 70 per cent people are regularly refilling their gas cylinder and the high cost of cylinder has not come in way of shifting to traditional means of cooking (earthen stoves).

Saryu Roy, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies department made the revelation about high retention rate of Ujjwala beneficiaries when there are reports about high LPG cost hindering the Ujjwala scheme. Replying to the question made of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), MLA Pradeep Yadav in the Assembly, Roy said, “Presently the refilling rate of LPG consumers is seven cylinders in a year, while the refilling rate of beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme is three cylinders in a year. The State Government has launched various awareness drives promoting use of LPG cylinders in rural areas.”

Yadav raising the query in question hour stated that around 80 per cent of Ujjwala beneficiaries are not turning up for refilling; however, the minister refuted Yadav’s allegation stating that figure stated by lawmaker is factually incorrect assuring Yadav that his department after getting the retention rate of beneficiaries will table the report in the ongoing budget session. However, Saryu Roy talking to media persons outside the assembly said that retention rate of Ujjwala beneficiaries in State will be around 70 to 75 per cent.

Roy said, “The total number of Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries in state is  26, 28,973 till January 21 and the number of beneficiaries is increasing day by day. “He also said that instructions have been issued to oil companies to get the details of Ujjwala beneficiaries who are not returning back for refilling gas cylinder and find out the reasons behind cold response.

The minister said that for creating use of LPG cylinders, the department is organizing LPG Panchayat in rural areas involving participation of women.

In current fiscal, the government has pegged a target of holding 2700 LPG Panchayat.  Also through audio-video medium awareness campaign will be launched. The government has also initiated the process of creating awareness through SMSs.