Dharwad
LPG connection transfer is now a challenge for the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana which was implemented keeping in mind the health risks faced by women while cooking food using firewood. This has had a direct impact on the laborers and migrants, who are forced to use firewood again for cooking.
General LPG (Cooking Gas) connections can be easily transferred from one place to another, agency to agency and company to company. However, Ujwala Gas beneficiaries do not have these facilities. To get transfer of gas connection, there should be an agency of the same company at the place where there are willing to get transfer. If there is a gas agency of another company, it cannot be transferred. Thus, even if the LPG is in the name of the beneficiary, it cannot be used. In rural areas there will be one of the agencies BPC, HPC, IOC. Thus it is difficult to transfer Ujwala without a specific company. Transferring to an agency of a particular company will cost more. Also, agencies are reluctant to supply cylinders to beneficiaries if they live in remote areas.
I migrated to Kelageri village 6 months ago from Balala village of Dharwad taluk. HPC Agency is not providing LPG to Dharwad. They are saying that this is free gas, so transfer is not possible. I have had enough of wandering and every month I bring cylinders from my native place on my bike. In the wake of drought, many labourers are migrating from district to district, town to town and working with their families. Some have moved permanently while some have stayed in other towns for 6-8 months for work. Such people are not getting Ujwala scheme gas cylinder. The workers who are worried that Ujwala quota will be cancelled if they fail to get regular gas connection, inevitably cook using firewood.
Disgruntled that Ujwala is not providing LPG transfer, some migrants are seen taking gas cylinders from their original places to the areas they have migrated to on bikes and private vehicles. They come once a month on a bike and take gas from their hometown. We have gone to work. Firewood is not available there. A cylinder is needed for cooking, so this kind of transportation is inevitable, say the beneficiaries.
