By Sandeep Pattnaik

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Bhubaneswar, September 2, 2016: Union Government has the ambition to provide five-crore LPG connections within a short span of time. It will not only empower more women but also benefit the health care department, Dr. J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health said while attending the valedictory event of a two-day International Conference on LPG cooking gas co-hosted by leading Public Sector oil companies – Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum & Hindustan Petroleum Corporation.

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“My ministry will be the direct beneficiary of this step.” The minister said.

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“Policies of the Union Government to provide cooking gas connections to poor and downtrodden people of this country is a step towards empowering the marginal section of the society. The conference should convey a message that India can show the way for improving lives of poor women across the globe,” MoS (i/c), MoPNG, Dharmendra Pradhan said.

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Earlier in the valedictory session, Dr. Walter Hart, VP, IHS, USA emphasized India’s expanding role in Global LPG markets He told that India has set the Global standards for subsidized LPG distribution and has an intended role of helping to stabilize global LPG prices.

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The conference deliberated on various issues ranging from the need for an LPG enabled household, problems arising due to absence of LPG connection, the usage of traditional bio mass cooking fuels and their impact on both health and environment. It also highlights the “Role of private sector in expanding the reach of LPG” and “Role of Women in LPG Global Network – Global Practices & International Models” and Govt initiatives like PAHAL, GiveItUp and Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana.

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B. Ashok, CMD, IOCL summed up the conference presentations and Mita Pridarshini Sinha, CEO, Research and Development Initiative are present on the occasion.