Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Sep 6: Politics, confusion and disappointment marked the rollout of the Goa Ujjwala Yojana in Salcete on Saturday, with hundreds of anxious LPG consumers returning home without obtaining application forms for the scheme.

The scheme, which provides eligible families financial assistance equivalent to the cost of three LPG cylinders, witnessed a chaotic start at several locations across Salcete, with consumers rushing to collect forms.

In Cuncolim, the BJP and Congress engaged in a public war of words, with the BJP questioning Cuncolim MLA and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao over his alleged "blatant political U-turn" on the government scheme.

Alemao hit back at the BJP, reminding the party that the scheme was being implemented using government funds.

At the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), a large crowd of LPG consumers gathered as people scrambled to obtain application forms. PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, who launched the scheme in the city, personally monitored the distribution.

Kamat advised residents from panchayat areas to collect the forms from their respective panchayats instead of travelling to Margao.

In Velim, Congress leader Savio D’Silva highlighted the difficulties faced by consumers who had arrived to collect the forms. He alleged that there was a lack of coordination between the government and the panchayat regarding their distribution.

D’Silva and others expressed concern over the implementation of the scheme and hoped it would not turn out to be another "election jumla".

Citizens for Democracy convenor Elvis Gomes also criticised the government's distribution model, particularly the absence of an online application facility. He questioned the administration's claims regarding e-governance when beneficiaries were required to physically obtain forms.

Meanwhile, Kamat's office said more than 800 forms were distributed to beneficiaries at Margao on Saturday.

Kamat, who personally monitored the launch at the MMC building, said the government was committed to providing relief to people irrespective of caste or creed.

"There’s no income limit for this scheme. Any citizen, irrespective of caste and religion, can avail of the benefits under the scheme," he said.

However, hundreds of consumers were left disappointed after the forms were exhausted within minutes, leading to frustration among those who had gathered at the venue.

Kamat sought to allay the apprehensions of the public, stating that the forms distributed on Saturday were part of a token exercise. He assured that every eligible beneficiary would receive the benefits under the scheme.

The rollout has meanwhile triggered political debate over the implementation of the scheme, with opposition leaders questioning the arrangements while the government maintained that all eligible beneficiaries would be covered.