Shimla DC orders strict verification for LPG connections under Ujjwala Yojana

Shimla Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap on Monday directed officials to ensure physical verification before issuing new LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the district. He gave these instructions while presiding over a meeting of the District-Level Ujjwala Committee.

The DC stated that, as per the new Central government guidelines, departments must carry out physical verification prior to approving new connections. “The verification will be conducted by Panchayat Secretaries after the KYC of the applicant is completed. During the inspection, officials will confirm that the details provided in the application form are accurate. Only after this process will the applications be placed before the committee for selection,” Kashyap said.

Highlighting the scheme’s importance, he added that the Ujjwala Yojana is an ambitious initiative of the Central government aimed at providing LPG connections to women belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. “Under this scheme, the government also provides financial assistance of Rs 2,050 per connection,” he said.

The DC further clarified the criteria for ineligibility under the scheme. Families will not qualify if any member earns more than Rs 10,000 per month, pays professional or income tax or is a government employee. Similarly, those possessing a Kisan Credit Card with a limit exceeding Rs 50,000, owning more than 2.5 acres of irrigated land with one irrigation device or holding over 5 acres of land with two annual crops will also be excluded. In addition, families that own a three-wheeler, four-wheeler or agricultural machinery such as a tractor or already possess an LPG connection, will not be eligible to avail the scheme’s benefits.

Kashyap emphasised that strict adherence to these eligibility conditions is essential to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach only genuinely deserving families in the district.