THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The BJP Mahila Morcha on Thursday urged people not to view the Ujjwala scheme through a political lens, asserting that the State government’s promise to provide three free LPG cylinders annually will continue even after the elections.
BJP Mahila Morcha vice-president Kunda Chodankar said the scheme was not a “political gimmick”, as alleged by the Opposition, but an assurance made in the BJP’s 2022 election manifesto.
“It’s not a political gimmick as those in the Opposition want to portray it. The scheme was an assurance made in the BJP’s 2022 election manifesto and has now been implemented after a delay due to the State’s financial situation post-Covid and the planning involved,” Chodankar said.
Chodankar, along with BJP Mahila Morcha members Aarti Bandodkar and Sonali Nagvekar, was addressing a press conference on Thursday.
The Mahila Morcha described the scheme as a “Ganesh Chaturthi gift” to women, saying the BJP-led government had fulfilled its 2022 election promise of providing three free LPG cylinders every year.
According to Chodankar, around 2.5 lakh applications have been received so far under the scheme. She said the subsidy amount, as assured by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, was expected to start being credited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts from September 10.
Chodankar also rejected claims by Opposition parties, including Congress, that welfare schemes such as the Dayanand Social Security Scheme and Griha Aadhaar could be discontinued.
The Mahila Morcha appealed to women not to fall prey to what it termed “Opposition propaganda” and urged eligible beneficiaries to apply for the scheme through their respective panchayats or municipal councils.
