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Bilaspur, Oct 29 (IANS) In a renewed push for clean energy access, Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district is all set to implement Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 3.0 with updated eligibility criteria, aiming to provide free LPG connections to 13,761 poor families.
This initiative was formally launched during the district level meeting held at Manthan Auditorium under the chairmanship of Food Controller Amrit Kujur.
More than 30 gas agency representatives participated in the meeting, which focused on streamlining distribution and ensuring transparency. Officials were directed to organize camps across the district for document verification and application processing.
So far, 2.94 lakh families in Bilaspur have already benefited from the first phases of the scheme, which was first launched in 2016 to promote clean cooking fuel among Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Under PMUY 3.0, beneficiaries will get free LPG connection, a stove and first refill. However, the scheme now includes strict eligibility filters to ensure that only the most economically vulnerable families receive the benefits.
Families with monthly income above Rs 10,000, whose members pay income or business tax, government employees and owners of registered non-farm enterprises are excluded.
Additionally, farmers with Kisan Credit Card limit of more than Rs 50,000, who have more than 2.5 acres of irrigated land with equipment, or 5 acres of land for two crop seasons or 7.5 acres of land with irrigation equipment, are also ineligible.
Households with carpet area more than 30 square metres, owners of motorized vehicles, fishing boats or mechanized farm equipment, and families who already have LPG connections will not be eligible.
Food controller Kujur said the distribution data will be publicly displayed in gram panchayats and local media to ensure that no eligible family is overlooked.
He also directed the officials to complete the 100% target of the district within the stipulated time frame and expedite the application follow-up.
The scheme is seen as an important step towards women empowerment, health protection and environmental sustainability.
With PMUY 3.0, the government aims to deepen its reach and ensure that clean fuel becomes the household norm in rural India.
–IANS
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