Ujjwala Scheme

By Amigos IAS

Why is it in the news?

  • Recently, the Union Cabinet has decided to increase the LPG subsidy for Ujjwala beneficiaries to ₹300 per cylinder. This additional subsidy of ₹100 benefits 9.6 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

About

  • Launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG) in 2016.
  • Aims to provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to rural and deprived households.
  • Addresses the use of traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, etc.
  • Aims to improve the health of rural women and reduce environmental impact.

 

Objectives

  • Empower women and protect their health.
  • Reduce deaths in India due to unclean cooking fuel.
  • Prevent acute respiratory illnesses in children due to indoor air pollution.

 

Features

  • Provides financial support of Rs 1600 for each LPG connection to BPL households.
  • Offers a deposit-free LPG connection.
  • Provides the first refill and a hotplate free of cost to beneficiaries.

 

Benefits

  • Eligible beneficiaries receive a free LPG connection.
  • Subsidy on the first six refills of 14.2 kg cylinders or eight refills of 5 kg cylinders.
  • Option for EMI facility for stove and first refill costs.
  • Option to join the PAHAL scheme for direct subsidy transfer to bank accounts.

 

Phases

 

Phase I (May 1, 2016)

  • Target: Release 8 Crore LPG Connections by March 2020.
  • Result: LPG coverage increased from 62% (May 2016) to 99.8% (April 2021).

Ujjwala 2.0:

  • Additional 1 crore LPG connections targeted by March 31, 2022.
  • Achievement: Additional 1.6 Crore LPG Connections released by December 2022.

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