LPG coverage under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUJ) has improved to 104.1% as on January 01, 2022, as compared to 62% as on May 01, 2016. Based on a large number of applications, the Government has further extended the scheme with 60 lakh more connections under Ujjwala 2.0.
The target of releasing one crore LPG connections under Ujjwala 2.0 was achieved on January 31, 2022. It is to be mentioned that PMUY was launched on May 1, 2016, while Ujjwala 2.0 was launched on August 10, 2021. It was launched with an objective to safeguard the health of women and children by providing them clean cooking fuel, so that they do not have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens.
The initial target was to provide LPG connections to five crore women members of BPL households. Subsequently, the scheme was expanded and the target was revised to Eight crore LPG connections. To cover remaining households under PMUY, Ujjwala 2.0 was started on August 10, 2021 on pan India basis to provide additional one crore LPG connections. The government has achieved the target of providing one crore LPG connections under Ujjwala 2.0 as on January 31, 2022.
The target to provide eight crore deposit free LPG connections was achieved in September, 2019, seven months ahead of scheduled date. The target of releasing another one crore LPG connections in Ujjwala2.01 was achieved on January 31, 2022.
Points to Ponder
The scheme was deposit-free LPG connection is given to the eligible household with financial assistance of Rs 1600 per connection. Free of cost first LPG refill and gas stove is provided for the first time by public sector Oil Marketing Companies.
Per capita consumption of PMUY beneficiaries has increased from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.66 refills in Financial Year 2021-22 (till Feb 2022).
With the implementation of PMUY, approximately one lakh people have got employment through the LPG distribution system.
As part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, more than 14 crore free LPG refills were provided to the PMUY beneficiaries during COVID-19.
Under the Give-It-Up initiative, more than One crore people themselves gave up the subsidy on LPG, which benefited the needy people.
All LPG connections are released in the name of an adult woman of the poor family.
35.1 % PMUY beneficiaries are from SC/ST categories (as on December 01, 2021)
Women in the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been the biggest beneficiaries of PMUY.
The International Energy Agency said it is a “major achievement” in improving the environment and health of women.
WHO report (2018) said that Ujjwala Yojana has provided 37 million women, living below the poverty line, with free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use.
