RTI activist Disparsing Rani informed that as per RTI reports received from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) government of India indicates that LPG gas connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme in the whole country is still going free of costs.
Speaking to media persons, Rani asserted that he had sought RTI regarding this issue as he had received complaints that there are Gas agencies which charge up to Rs.6000 for new LPG gas connection.
“As per the RTI report received from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited government of India showed that the LPG gas connection under the PMUY scheme in the whole country including in Meghalaya is still going at free of costs” said Rani.
Rani informed that in Meghalaya there are four LPG gas distributors which were released by the government of India through the HPCL which includes Brothers HP Gas Gramin Kharkuta North Garo Hills, Genesis HP Gas Gramin Mawkyrwat South West Khasi Hills, JP HP Gas Gramin Mawbari Ri-bhoi district and Twin HP Gas Gramin Barato West Jaintia Hills.
He added that he had reached out to one Longkmie Gas Agency with regard to free gas connection but they failed to explain the reason due to which the free connection of gas has been halted in Meghalaya.
On the other hand, Rani’s informed that in IHM Shillong there are a total of 16 sanctioned posts out of which 8 posts are currently vacant and at present the IHM Shillong is currently engaging on 1 contractual posts and 10 posts are outsourced through agency.
Rani asserted that there is a shortage of staff at the institute and proper teachers and assistance which could have a detrimental impact on the quality of education being imparted to students.
When it comes to providing ex-gratia to next of kin of the deceased person due to covid-19 in Meghalaya, Rani said that as per RTI report the Revenue & Disaster Management Department has paid an amount of rupees Rs. 6,66,00,000 from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to the families of those who succumbed due to Covid-19 in the state.
Rani alleged that he has received complaints that there are around 10 families who have sent in complaints of not receiving the Rs. 50,000 ex-gratia from the SDRF even after reaching out to the department in-change.