PM launches Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, says I understand mothers' pain

Ballia: Recalling his mother's agony and sacrifices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he chose Ballia to launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) as the number of LPG's connections in Uttar Pradesh is lowest in this district. "This scheme launched today will benefit poor families and particularly poor women. The subsidy would be provided in the accounts of the women so that there is no corruption," said Prime Minister Modi. "I was born in a very small house, there were no windows. When my mother used to cook food on firewood, sometimes there would be such thick smoke that we were not even able to see our mother when she used to serve the food. This is why I can completely understand the pain of mothers and their children. I have gone through that," he added. The Prime Minister also used the occasion to lure the people of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the assembly polls scheduled next year while asserting that the NDA Government at the Centre is working a lot and allocating tremendous resources for the development of the state. "Let us pledge that we will never dirty the Ganga. Once we decide the Ganga will remain clean, no force can dirty it. Schemes must be made for the welfare of the poor not keeping in mind considerations of the ballot box. People need schooling and jobs," Prime Minister Modi said. "Connectivity in this region, rail lines, and bridges- these issues were ignored but I congratulate all local MPs for ensuring these changes. Fruits of development have to reach the eastern part of India and then we will gain strength in the fight against poverty," he added. The PMUY is aimed at providing five crore free cooking gas connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This scheme, which costs Rs. Rs. 8,000 crore, aims to provide cooking gas connections to five crore women beneficiaries from BPL families over the next three years.