"Over 10.33 crore women got LPG connections under PM Ujjwala scheme": Hardeep Singh Puri
He stated that there were 14 crore LPG connections in 2014, and the number of connections has increased to 33 crore as of 2025.
'LPG Connection: Year 2014 - 14 crore and Year 2025 - 33 crore,' Puri said while addressing the gathering here, adding, 'Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, the past 11 years have brought an LPG revolution that has ushered in a new wave of change in every sector.'
The Union Minister stated that the cost of a cylinder in India was merely Rs 553, which was lower compared to other LPG-producing countries, such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
'As part of this, under the PM Ujjwala scheme, more than 10.33 crore women have been provided free connections. Even today, they get a cylinder for just Rs 553, which is lower than in other LPG-producing countries,' Puri said.
'In contrast, the same cylinder costs Rs 1,204 in neighbouring Sri Lanka, Rs 1,201 in Nepal, and Rs 1,000 in Pakistan,' he added.
Puri said that the number of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana exceeds 1.25 crore.
'This revolution has not only improved women's health but has also become a significant means of job creation. Clean fuel is now present in almost every kitchen in every country,' he added.
In a veiled attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, Puri on Friday reiterated that petrol and diesel prices in non-BJP states are ruling above that of BJP-run states.
Speaking in Durgapur, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside on the dais, Minister Puri said petrol and diesel prices are Rs 7-8 per litre lower in BJP-ruled states.
'Our government under PM Modi did not allow fuel prices to rise. In November 2021, May 2022, and March 2024, the central government reduced cess on petrol and diesel, cumulatively by Rs 13 and Rs 16,' the minister said.
'On top of that, our BJP-ruled states also reduced VAT on fuel. In BJP states, petrol and diesel prices are ruling Rs 7-8 per litre lower than non-BJP states,' Minister Puri added.
In a major boost to Oil and Gas infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, worth around Rs 1,950 crore. It will provide PNG connections to households, commercial establishments and industrial customers, and provide CNG at the retail outlets and also create employment opportunities in the region.
The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, which has been laid as a part of the ambitious Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
EU, US strike ‘biggest-ever' trade deal
President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen seal a trade deal with a handshake at Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. (AP pic) TURNBERRY : The United States and European Union on Sunday clinched what President Donald Trump described as the 'biggest-ever' deal to resolve a transatlantic tariff stand-off that threatened to explode into a full-blown trade war. Trump emerged from a high-stakes meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf resort in Scotland to announce that a baseline tariff of 15% would be levied on EU exports to the US. The deal, which the leaders struck in around an hour, came as the clock ticked down on an Aug 1 deadline to avoid an across-the-board US levy of 30% on European goods. 'We've reached a deal. It's a good deal for everybody. This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity,' said Trump. Trump said the 15% tariff would apply across the board, including for Europe's crucial automobile sector, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. As part of the deal, Trump said the 27-nation EU bloc had agreed to purchase 'US$750 billion worth of energy' from the United States, as well as make US$600 billion in additional investments. Von der Leyen said the 'significant' purchases of US liquefied natural gas, oil and nuclear fuels would come over three years, as part of the bloc's bid to diversify away from Russian sources. Negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, von der Leyen had been pushing hard to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual US$1.9 trillion in goods and services. 'It's a good deal,' the EU chief told reporters. 'It will bring stability. It will bring predictability. That's very important for our businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,' she said. She said bilateral tariff exemptions had been agreed on a number of 'strategic products,' notably aircraft, certain chemicals, some agricultural products and critical raw materials. Von der Leyen said the EU still hoped to secure further so-called 'zero-for-zero' agreements, notably for alcohol, which she hoped to be 'sorted out' in coming days. Trump also said EU countries – which recently pledged to ramp up their defence spending within Nato – would be purchasing 'hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military equipment.' 'Best we could get' The EU has been hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House. It is currently subject to a 25% levy on cars, 50% on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10%, which Washington threatened to hike to 30% in a no-deal scenario. The bloc had been pushing hard for tariff carve-outs for critical industries from aircraft to spirits, and its auto industry, crucial for France and Germany, is already reeling from the levies imposed so far. 'Fifteen percent is not to be underestimated, but it is the best we could get,' acknowledged von der Leyen. Any deal will need to be approved by EU member states – whose ambassadors, on a visit to Greenland, were updated by the commission Sunday morning. They were set to meet again after the deal struck in Scotland. German chancellor Friedrich Merz rapidly hailed the deal, saying it avoided 'needless escalation in transatlantic trade relations'. But German exporters were less enthusiastic. The powerful BDI federation of industrial groups said the accord would have 'considerable negative repercussions' while the country's VCI chemical trade association said the accord left rates 'too high'. The EU had pushed for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota into the US before tariffs would apply. Trump appeared to rule that out, saying steel was 'staying the way it is', but the EU chief insisted later that 'tariffs will be cut and a quota system will be put in place' for steel. 'The big one' While 15% is much higher than pre-existing US tariffs on European goods, which average around 4.8%, it mirrors the status quo, with companies currently facing an additional flat rate of 10%. Had the talks failed, EU states had greenlit counter tariffs on US$109 billion (€93 billion) of US goods including aircraft and cars to take effect in stages from Aug 7. Trump has embarked on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world, and has vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs if they do not reach a pact with Washington by Aug1. Asked what the next deal would be, Trump replied: 'This was the big one. This is the biggest of them all.'
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
KDM sets sights on GRS strongholds in Dusun heartland in Ranau
KOTA KINABALU: The Social Democratic Prosperity Party (KDM) is preparing to challenge Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which holds a stronghold in the ethnic Dusun heartland, spanning the foothills of Mount Kinabalu in the Ranau district. The native-based KDM deputy president, Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, said that Ranau could become their stronghold as the party was gaining an "extraordinary' response from the local community during their series of visits to polling districts. "Just like in other areas we have toured, support is increasing because the people are confident in the struggle that KDM is bringing to bring prosperity to the people. "Ranau will be a stronghold of KDM in the upcoming elections," he said when speaking at the launch of the election machinery for the Kundasang, Paginatan and Karanaan constituencies on Saturday (July 27). "I am confident that we will have a good chance to win in the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus native seats," he said, adding that they were broadening KDM to include other non-Muslim native seats. Kundasang state seat is held by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, the Karanaan state seat is held by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah deputy president cum GRS secretary general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun and Paginatan is held by Sabah STAR vice president, Datuk Abidin Madangkir. Wetrom said the party has identified the former state finance ministry permanent secretary, Datuk Rusdin Riman, to contest for the Paginatan state seat. The party has previously suggested that a former bank officer, Datuk Jeffry Mohd Ali, would face Dr Gunsalam in Kundasang and a former assemblyman, Datuk Karim Adam, would contest against Masidi in Karanaan. KDM, led by President Datuk Peter Anthony who was recently imprisoned, has expanded its influence in northern Sabah's Rungus community and secured a foothold in the Murut seat in interior Tenom.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
Rally sparks debate, not upheaval
PETALING JAYA: Analysts remain divided over the significance of the recent 'Turun Anwar' rally, held in the capital on Saturday to call for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's resignation, particularly in light of the reported turnout. Independent political analyst Dr Lim Teck Ghee questioned the organisers' claim that 500,000 people attended, describing the figure as likely overstated. 'A turnout of 500,000 seems unlikely. A more reasonable estimate might be closer to 50,000,' he told theSun. Lim noted that while the crowd size was not insignificant, it may not be sufficient to bring about major political shifts. He also pointed out that the rally appeared to draw a predominantly Malay crowd, which he said reflected limited participation from other communities. 'Roughly 95% of attendees were Malays, suggesting the event was not broadly representative of the wider population and may have primarily involved PAS or Bersatu supporters,' he said. Lim also observed that most speakers did not outline clear policy alternatives, focusing instead on calls for the prime minister to step down. 'While the slogan 'Turun Anwar' may resonate with some, there was a lack of detailed proposals or solutions presented during the rally,' he added. Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research, Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, said the rally appeared designed to give the impression that Anwar had lost public support. 'In reality, this was not a people's rally, as it only drew one segment of society. The non-Malay presence was minimal, so it cannot be said to represent the rakyat as a whole,' he told theSun. Azmi added that while the opposition may be attempting to shape public perception, any change in leadership must follow due parliamentary process. 'Anwar retains the backing of the majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat. I doubt the opposition will table a no-confidence vote, as they are aware they lack the numbers,' he said. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) political analyst Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid offered a different perspective, describing the rally's turnout as noteworthy. 'Based on drone footage, TikTok livestreams, and television coverage, the rally brought together thousands to express their protest. Many remained despite the rain, chanting loudly for Anwar to step down,' she said. Kartini added that from a democratic standpoint, the peaceful nature of the event underscored Malaysians' right to free speech and assembly. 'The rally was symbolic — a way for citizens to voice dissatisfaction directly to their leaders. Malaysians understand that elections are the appropriate channel to choose their government. It's highly unlikely the people would seek to forcefully remove a prime minister, as has happened elsewhere,' she said. Estimates suggest more than 30,000 people, many dressed in black, gathered at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday to call for Anwar's resignation. Among those who addressed the crowd were former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Perikatan Nasional information chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor of PAS. In a WhatsApp response to theSun, Azmin Ali said the prime minister had yet to fulfil many of his reform pledges. 'Public confidence has diminished. While many promises were made, there has been a lack of meaningful delivery. His leadership appears increasingly uncertain,' he said.
