Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a scheme launched by the Indian government in 2016 to provide LPG (liquified petroleum gas) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
The scheme aims to provide access to cleaner and safer cooking fuel to households that previously relied on traditional fuels such as wood and coal.
The scheme has a budget allocation of Rs. 80 billion (approx. $1 billion) and the goal is to distribute 50 million LPG connections.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister(s) | Narendra Modi |
| Ministry | Energy |
| Key people | Dharmendra Pradhan |
| Launched | 1 May 2016; 6 years ago Ballia |
| Status | Active |
| Website | www.pmujjwalayojana.com |
PMUY has led to an increase in LPG consumption by 56% in 2019 as compared to 2014. The National Family Health Surveys have also demonstrated significant improvement in access to cleaner cooking fuels due to PMUY. Yearly growth in access to cleaner fuel accelerated around 2015 and increased by almost seven times, from 0.8% in rural areas before 2015 to 5.6% after.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2016 to provide LPG (liquid petroleum gas) connections to economically and socially disadvantaged households in the country. Some of the benefits of the scheme include:
Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Improved health and sanitation: By providing access to clean and efficient cooking fuels, the scheme aims to reduce the health hazards associated with the use of traditional fuels such as kerosene and biomass.
Empowerment of women: Many households in rural and low-income areas rely on women for cooking, and the scheme aims to empower them by reducing the time and effort they spend on collecting fuel.
Improved air quality: By reducing the use of traditional fuels, the scheme aims to improve the air quality in homes and communities.
Increased access to energy: The scheme aims to increase access to modern energy services in rural and low-income areas, which can help to improve living standards and support economic development.
Creation of employment opportunities: The scheme is expected to create employment opportunities for dealers, distributors, and other service providers in the LPG sector.
Some of the major benefits provided by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana are:
The objectives of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) are:
- To provide LPG (liquified petroleum gas) connections to BPL (Below Poverty Line) households in order to improve their quality of life by replacing traditional cooking fuels.
- To empower women and protect their health by shifting them from traditional cooking fuels to clean and efficient LPG.
- To create employment opportunities in the rural areas by setting up new LPG distribution centers and increasing the demand for cylinders, regulators, and other equipment.
- To reduce health hazards associated with the use of traditional fuels and to reduce the number of deaths caused by indoor air pollution.
- To reduce the number of women who have to compromise their safety while collecting firewood by providing easy access to LPG fuel.
- To reduce the pressure on forests by reducing the demand for firewood.
- To improve the overall economic and social development of rural households by providing access to clean and efficient cooking fuel.
Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The eligibility criteria for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) are as follows:
- The scheme is open to all BPL (Below Poverty Line) households.
- Priority is given to SC/ST households, forest dwellers, most backward classes, and minority communities.
- The scheme is also open to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and non-SC/ST/OBC households living below the poverty line.
- The scheme is open to widows, divorced women, and women who are deserted by their husband.
- The scheme is open to women with physically challenged and/or terminally ill family members.
- The scheme is open to all households in the rural areas except those that are already using LPG.
- The scheme is open to all households in the urban areas and towns, provided they meet the BPL criteria.
It’s worth noting that the implementation of the scheme may vary by states, so it is best to check with the local authorities for the specific eligibility criteria in your region.