By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: ‘Muku Bhai’-Mridula Bhabi , names are enough for those who associated with RSS and all its affiliated wings including the BJP. Muku read Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the most powerful young faces of Sangh Pariwar and the leader, who hails from Odisha, represents Madhya Pradesh in Rajya Sabha, calling the shots in Shashtri Bhawan inside the Parliament complex controls 2 important portfolios including PNG and Steel under Narendra Modi’s Cabinet.
Muku aka Dharmendra, who learnt the art of leadership since his very childhood days with ABVP, the students wing of RSS, thereafter with BJP, has been missing no stone unturned to fight the outbreak at both national and his home State of Odisha while his wife Mridula Thakur Pradhan and daughter Naimisha Pradhan engaged themselves in facemask making during the lockdown period, which inspired lakhs of women across the Country and many have followed her and started making mask in their homes.
“For Dharmendra Pradhna, NTPC Ltd, SAIL, PPT, MCL, NALCO and many Central PSUs flooded funds to Odisha Government in its fight against COVID-19,” said a source.
More than 1.51 Crore free LPG cylinders have been distributed so far to the PMUY beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana(PMGKY) in this month so far because of Pradhan’s pro-active role.
Under the PMKGY, PNG Ministry is providing 3 LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) free to over 8 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana(PMUY) over the period of April to June 2020 while more than 6 lakhs beneficiaries got their advance cash on bank account.
The Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are distributing 50 to 60 lakh cylinders per day, which includes about 18 lakh free cylinders to PMUY beneficiaries, sources in PNG Ministry said on Thursday. Pradhan himself took part in a webinar with over 800 LPG cylinder delivery boys, in which the Secretary, M/PNG, Officials of the M/PNG and OMCs took part.
Describing the LPG delivery boys as the frontline soldiers and Corona fighters in the time of unprecedented crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic, Pradhan said that the whole nation acknowledges their contributions. Appreciating their sincerity, hardwork and dedication to the duty, he said that in such times, they are delivering upto 60 lakhs cylinders daily, sometimes even endangering their own lives.
Pradhan called upon them to take due precautions while discharging their duties. He said that by rising to the occasion, they have gained special respect from the society, and are getting blessing from the poor.
Many LPG delivery boys shared their experiences during these difficult times. They said that the Companies have provided them with the protection kit which includes soap, sanitizer, mask and gloves. They also sanitize their cylinders before delivery, and also maintain social distancing while delivering the cylinder.
Many of them said that they are making the customers aware about social distancing, benefit of installing AarogyaSetu in their phones, and paying through the digital modes. Most of them thanked the Government and OMCs for providing insurance for them, and also making provisions of ex-gratia payment. Some delivery boys also stated that they have contributed to the PM-CARES fund, and are helping the poor and elderly while discharging their duties.
