Gifts galore for women in state ahead of assembly elections
CM Raghubar Das said that women were the backbone of Jharkhand’s growth
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On the request of Jharkhand chief minister, I announced to engage women of Sakhi Mandal (women self-help group) in providing connection of piped supply gas and collection of its bills in Ranchi DHARMENDRA PRADHAN, Union Petroleum Minister
RANCHI: Months ahead of the assembly elections in the Jharkhand, the state government has launched its free second LPG cylinder distribution scheme, arguable the first initiative in India, among women of BPL families from Friday, while union petroleum ministry has decided to engage women in providing connections of piped supply gas and collection of bills under city gas distribution project in Ranchi.
Besides, state government has also decided to engage women self-help groups in collection of electricity bills with certain incentives.
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who inaugurated city gas distribution project and two CNG stations in Ranchi on Friday, said, “On the request of Jharkhand chief minister, I announced to engage women of Sakhi Mandal (women self-help group) in providing connection of piped supply gas and collection of its bills in Ranchi. Certain remuneration will be given to them for the services. This will open a new door of employment among women in the state.”
Pradhan directed Ranchi deputy commissioner and other district officials to begin work on the plan.
Speaking at the function, chief minister Raghubar Das said, “Women are backbone of Jharkhand’s growth and making them empowered has been my government’s prime objective.”
“After knowing that rural women are facing trouble in second refill of LPG cylinders, we immediately decided to offer free second LPG cylinders to them, which is being done first in the country. The distribution of second cylinder being started from Kolhan division on occasion of Janmastami,” Das said.
He said under Ujjwala Yojana, LPG cylinders would be distributed among 42 lakh women of BPL families. “We have already provided cylinders to 30 lakh families and decided to provide cylinders to 10 lakh families by September 30,” CM said.
Das said his government has also decided to engage women from Sakhi Mandal in collection of electricity bills across the state, which would make them financially empowered. “Till now, private agencies are assigned for the task and they make the benefit of it. Now, the benefit will go to Jharkhand women,” Das said
On August 21, state government launched ‘Mitti Ke Doctor’ initiative under which two women of different SHGs would be appointed at each panchayat state under soil health card mission and Rs 140 incentive will be given for making per soil health card.
The chief minister also
announced to engage women SHGs in preparation of nutritional ready-to-eat food for Anganwadi centres. State government spends Rs 500 crore over food project to Anaganwadi by private agencies. Now, this money will go to women SHGs. The government has decided to set up ready to eat food plant at every blocks, which would be operated by women.
Jharkhand has 2.25 lakh Sakhi Mandals and over 26 lakh women are associated with the self-help groups.
Chief minister on Thursday at BPO/BPM summit said Jharkhand women could also work at night shift. A proposal in this regard has been passed by the state cabinet and it now awaits Governor’s nod.