Women activists protest against rising prices of cooking gas

The women wing of the ruling Biju Janata Dal Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) office here protesting the rise in the price of cooking gas. 

The activists of Biju Mahila Janata Dal led by their president and senior MLA Pramila Mallick, shouted slogans and accused the Central government of hiking the price of cooking gas at least for 22 times since the BJP led NDA government came to the power in 2014. 

The activists shouted slogans against the NDA government holding placards. Mallick claimed that the Ujjwala Yojana was a total failure in the state as people who have got connections under the scheme are not able to refill their LPG cylinders. 

The BJD women wing also alleged that the beneficiaries of Ujjwala yojana were selected by the BJP leaders. They also alleged that free gas connections have been given to ghost beneficiaries. 

As the beneficiaries of the Ujjawala yojana have failed to refill their cylinder due to high price rise, Mallick said: "The Ujjawala scheme has completely failed in the state. Meanwhile, IOCL in a statement Wednesday claimed that Ujjawal scheme has been well accepted by the people of Odisha. 

While the number of beneficiaries in Odisha by March 2018 was 23 lakh, it has increased to 34 lakh by now. 

Of the 23 lakh beneficiaries, 16 lakh have refilled their cylinder in June-July and August 2018, the statement said.

(With inputs from agencies.)