PANAJI: The RDA Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao said that with the relaxation of income condition as many as 60,000 people have been included under the BPL category.

Prior to this relaxation, Mr Alemao said, there were only 3000 people under the BPL list.

The RDA Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the function organised to distribute LPG cylinders under RDA scheme and financial assistance to BPL families under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) at Valpoi, on Tuesday. Health Minister, Mr Vishwajit Rane graced the occasion.

Speaking further, Mr Alemao appealed to the people to make judicious use of gas cylinders and advised the women to take care while operating gas stoves to avoid any mishap.

Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said that the government has initiated number of schemes for the welfare of the people and added that these are targeted to help needy people to improve their standard of living.

He told the local representatives to guide the people to complete the formalities for various schemes implemented by the government.

The financial assistance amounting to Rs 35,000 as first instalment each was given to the needy and poor for construction of houses and upgradation of the houses; 745 beneficiaries from Sattari were given LPG cylinders.

Mr Ashok Gawas, ZP member, Mr Ashok Parab, ex-MLA, Mr Ladu Harwalkar, ex-ZP member and sarpanchas were present on the occasion.