PANAJI
The State government on Thursday appealed to citizens to apply for the Goa Ujjwala Scheme in the name of women to ensure they receive priority while extending the benefit, which provides Rs 3,000 to cover the cost of three free LPG cylinders.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Civil Supplies Secretary Sanjiv Gadkar and Director Jayant Tari, released the first instalment of Rs 3,000 to beneficiaries under the scheme.
Sawant said all female beneficiaries of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) and Griha Aadhar would receive the payment in the first phase, beginning Thursday and continuing over the next eight days. He said the staggered disbursement was necessitated by the bank strike on Friday, followed by the weekend and the Ganesh festival holiday. “Money has been released to the beneficiaries whose forms have been scrutinised,” Sawant said.
Emphasising that the scheme was specifically intended to benefit women, Sawant appealed to applicants to ensure that forms were filled in the name of the female member of the household, irrespective of whose name the LPG connection was registered. “This scheme is meant for women. Hence, 99% of the forms should be filled by women, irrespective of whose name the gas connection is. If a man has filled the form but attached his wife’s passbook, that will also be accepted and the same is under scrutiny,” he said. Sawant clarified that male applicants would also be eligible in certain circumstances, including if a man had lost his wife.
The Chief Minister further said both old and new forms would be accepted under the scheme and assured beneficiaries that the Ujjwala benefit would continue next year as well. He also clarified that receiving the Ujjwala benefit would not affect or discontinue benefits under DSSS and Griha Aadhar, allaying concerns among existing beneficiaries. Urging citizens not to be misled by what he termed “false propaganda” by the Opposition, Sawant said the government would continue with the welfare benefits and the Ujjwala scheme would remain in force beyond the current year.
