RAM NAIK RECEIVES KARGIL VIJAY
SHRADDHANJALI KALASH, PAYS HOMAGE TO BRAVE SOLDIERS
312
PETROL PUMPS & LPG AGENCIES MADE OPERATIONAL FOR THE FAMILIES
OF KARGIL MARTYRS
Shri Ram Naik, Minister
of Petroleum and Natural Gas joined the nation today in paying
homage to the brave soldiers of the nation on the eve of 4th
Anniversary of Kargil victory day "Vijay Divas". To mark this
occasion the Minister received the "Kargil Vijay Shradhanjali
Kalash" here today. This Kalash has been brought from Bangalore
to Delhi by the members of Citizens’ Society of India, as Social
Organisation as part of the celebration of the anniversary of
Kargil victory.
Speaking on the occasion
Shri Ram Naik said that it was for the first time that under the
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Government
decided to bring the mortal remains of the war martyrs to their
residence with national honour. The families of soldiers were
given a relief package in keeping with the needs of the families.
As part of relief, the Government decided to allot petrol pumps
and LPG Agencies to the dependents of martyrs. Shri Naik further
said that he has recently reviewed the progress of commissioning
of petrol pumps and LPG agencies allotted to the families of Kargil
Martyrs. So far 312 petrol pumps and LPG dealerships allotted
to the next kin of Kargil martyrs have been commissioned. Of this
197 are retail outlets and 115 LPG distributorships. Oil companies
are in various stages of commissioning another 46 outlets and
13 LPG distributorships bringing the total allotment to 371. In
addition, in respect of 21 retail outlets search for suitable
land is underway. These cases fall in the States of Delhi (1),
Himachal Pradesh (4), J&K (2), Nagaland (1), Meghalaya (1),
Rajasthan (1), Uttaranchal (6) and U.P. (5). Similarly in respect
of 6 LPG distributorships efforts are being made to find suitable
land in the States of Himachal Pradesh (1), J&K (2), Maharashtra
(1), U.P. (1) and Uttaranchal (1).
Directing the officials
of the Ministry and Oil Companies for expeditious commissioning
of remaining cases by 31st October 2003, Shri Naik
reiterated the highest priority that he accords to the implementation
of the "Operation Vijay" Scheme for allotment of retail outlets
and LPG distributorships to the families of Kargil Martyrs. He
made an appeal to the Chief Ministers of the concerned State Governments
to extend their fullest cooperation in addressing the issue of
procuring suitable land for ROs/LPG agencies. Special Scheme for
the families of Kargil Martyrs was formulated for meaningful rehabilitation
of widows and next of kin of the martyrs. Under the scheme Petrol
Pumps and LPG agencies are being entirely built by the concerned
Oil Companies involving an expenditure of approximately Rs. 40
lakh on a retail outlet and Rs. 20 lakh on an LPG distributorship.
