Bhubaneswar: October 22: The Odisha state government on Monday urged the Centre to supply cooking gas cylinders free-of-cost to those affected by cyclone Titli and the consequent floods.
In a letter to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha’s Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Surya Narayan Patro sought domestic LPG cylinders under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada districts.
The three districts were the worst-hit by the natural calamities.
50,990 subsidised gas connections under PMUY are provided in Gajapati district, 2, 39, 683 in Ganjam and 81,979 in Rayagada, said Patro.
“At present, these people are the worst sufferers and unable to pay the subsidised rate fixed by your department. In view of the above, I would request you to waive off the subsidized cost of the domestic LPG cylinders and supply the same free-of-cost, which will help in ameliorating the sufferings of the poor beneficiaries,” said the Minister.
In reply to the demand made by Odisha’s Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Surya Narayan Patro, to supply cooking gas free-of-cost to those affected by cyclone Titli and subsequent flood, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Oil Marketing Companies have already taken care in this regard. It has already been announced by the Oil Marketing Companies to supply cylinder to the consumers who have lost cylinders in concessional rate. As announced, consumers under BPL category will get the cylinder with 200 rupees only whereas consumers under APL category will have cylinders with 1200 rupees.
Input from IANS
