Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana‘ in 2016. The program aims to provide clean cooking fuel, Ujjwala, to rural and deprived households. Applicants have the option to apply for the scheme both online and offline. target set was to provide 8 Crore LPG connections to deprived households by March 2020.

Eligibility under PMUY

A woman of adult age from an economically disadvantaged household, lacking access to a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) connection in her residence, would meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligible according to Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
Member of SC/ST households.
Recipient of benefits under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
Identified as forest dwellers.
Belongs to Most Backward Classes..
Resident of river islands (Supporting documents required).
If not falling into the above categories, eligible for benefits under Poor household categories by submitting a 14-point declaration.

Ujjwala 2.0

The Prime Minister initiated the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, also known as Ujjwala 2.0, in August 2021.
Ujjwala 2.0 aims to extend coverage to an additional 10 million beneficiaries, as announced in the Union Budget 2021-22.
The scheme has been expanded to provide an additional 1 Crore LPG connections, with a special focus on migrant families.
Migrant workers can obtain a free cooking gas connection through self-declaration, eliminating the need for documents such as address proof.
It targets low-income families who were not covered in the first phase of PMUY, offering deposit-free LPG connections.
Beneficiaries will receive a stove free of cost along with the connection.
While the first gas cylinder is provided free of charge, consumers are required to pay for subsequent cylinders.
The government offers cash assistance of Rs 1,600 for a PMUY connection.

Achievements

LPG coverage increased from 62% (May 1, 2016) to 99.8% (April 1, 2021) due to the Programme.
The LPG distribution network generated approximately 100,000 employment opportunities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, more than 14 crore free LPG cylinder refills were distributed to beneficiaries of the PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana).

Significance

The PMUY initiative extended LPG access to rural areas, particularly aiding impoverished communities, where traditional cooking fuels like firewood, coal, and cow dung harmed both the health of rural women and the environment.
PMUY contributes to women’s empowerment by providing LPG connections in the name of the adult female in the household.
LPG saves women time previously spent gathering firewood and making cow dung, allowing them to use that time for learning new skills and pursuing economic opportunities.
eliminates the negative health impacts associated with burning traditional fuels, leading to improved physical and mental well-being for women and their families.
Girls, who previously assisted their mothers in collecting firewood and making cow dung, now have more time to focus on their education and personal development, maximizing their learning opportunities.

Challenges

Numerous families still lack access to LPG connections, perpetuating health risks associated with fossil fuel-based cooking methods.
Rising LPG cylinder costs undermine the program’s effectiveness, pushing users towards traditional fuels like wood and cow dung.
The World Health Organization reports around 500,000 annual deaths in India due to unclean cooking fuels, leading to non-communicable diseases like heart disease, respiratory issues, and lung cancer.
Children are especially at risk, emphasizing the need for cleaner cooking solutions.
Experts liken open kitchen fires to burning 400 cigarettes per hour, highlighting the urgency for action.

Way forward

Engage all stakeholders in coordinated efforts to expand the reach of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana through door-to-door initiatives.
Establish a sustainable supply chain for LPG cylinders while adhering to safety standards.
Enhance effectiveness by integrating self-help groups into the scheme and establishing a network of micro distributors.
Utilize existing networks to promote refill consumption among consumers.

Read Also: UJJWALA Scheme