MARGAO
Politics, confusion and disappointment marked the rollout of the Goa Ujjwala Yojana in Salcete on Saturday, with hundreds of anxious LPG consumers returning home without obtaining forms for the scheme.
In Cuncolim, the BJP and Congress engaged in a public spat, with the BJP questioning Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao over his alleged “blatant political U-turn” on the government scheme, which provides eligible families financial assistance equivalent to the cost of three LPG cylinders.
Alemao hit back, reminding the BJP that the scheme was being implemented with government funds.
At the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), a mad rush of LPG consumers was witnessed as people scrambled to obtain forms. PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, who launched the scheme in the city, monitored the distribution and advised people from panchayat areas to collect forms from their respective panchayats.
In Velim, Congress leader Savio D’Silva highlighted the plight of consumers who had turned up to collect forms, alleging a lack of coordination between the government and the panchayat over distribution. D’Silva and others expressed hope that the scheme would not turn out to be another “election jumla”.
Citizens for Democracy convenor Elvis Gomes also criticised the government’s distribution model, particularly the lack of an online application facility, questioning the administration’s e-governance claims.
Meanwhile, Kamat’s office said more than 800 forms were distributed to beneficiaries at Margao on Saturday.
Kamat, who personally monitored the launch at the MMC building, said the government was committed to providing relief to people irrespective of caste or creed.
“There’s no income limit for this scheme. Any citizen, irrespective of caste and religion, can avail of the benefits under the scheme,” he said.
However, hundreds of consumers returned home disappointed after the forms were exhausted within minutes.
Kamat sought to allay public apprehensions, saying the forms distributed on Saturday were part of a token exercise and assuring that every eligible beneficiary would receive the scheme’s benefits.
