Ujjwala Yojana:Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Oct 14: Beneficiaries of the central government’s Ujjwala Yojana in villages within the Bahanaga block of Odisha’s Balasore district have reportedly fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme. According to sources, scammers collected documents for free LPG connections, but the promised connections never materialized. Instead, some beneficiaries found subsidies credited to their bank accounts.
The victims soon realized they were required to pay ₹1,400 at a gas agency for cylinders and accessories. Civil Supplies Officer Niranjan Das confirmed that there is evidence against the agency involved and assured that action would be taken.
Approximately eight months ago, the fraudsters visited homes in Aruhabada, Bishnupur, Abhana, Dolapur, and Kalyani villages to gather documentation. A local resident mentioned, “Despite the long wait, the beneficiaries did not receive their gas connections. However, after some time, money appeared in the accounts of some beneficiaries.”
Upon inquiring at their bank, they were shocked to learn that the credited amounts were subsidy payments, even though they hadn’t received gas connections. Further investigation revealed that the duped beneficiaries were able to obtain an LPG connection at an agency in Padhuan of Basudevpur block. When they approached the gas agency, it allegedly charged them ₹1,400 before providing a gas cylinder, regulator, stove, and gas pipe.
