The Indian government’s flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), has received a boost with the recent Cabinet decision. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has welcomed the decision, saying that it will greatly benefit the beneficiaries and help in the movement towards cleaner cooking fuel.
PMUY was launched in 2016 with the aim of providing free LPG connections to women from poor households. The scheme has been successful in providing access to clean cooking fuel to millions of households across the country. However, there were some concerns that the scheme was being misused, with some households getting multiple connections and some households using the subsidy to buy non-LPG stoves or cylinders.
The recent Cabinet decision addresses these concerns by introducing some important changes to the scheme. Under the new rules, the subsidy for PMUY will now be provided only to those households which do not have an LPG connection. The government has also set a cap of one connection per household and has made it mandatory for beneficiaries to have an Aadhaar card or an alternative proof of identity and residence.
The Prime Minister has lauded the Cabinet decision, saying that it will ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach the intended beneficiaries. He has also stressed the importance of clean cooking fuel, saying that it is not just a matter of convenience but also a matter of health and hygiene.
The PMUY has been a key component of the government’s efforts to provide clean cooking fuel to all households in the country. According to government data, the scheme has provided LPG connections to more than 8 crore households, benefiting around 40 crore people. The scheme has also led to a significant reduction in air pollution, particularly in rural areas where households used to rely on traditional cooking fuels like wood, charcoal, or dung cakes.
The government’s focus on clean cooking fuel is part of its broader efforts to promote sustainable development and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. The PMUY has not only helped in providing access to clean cooking fuel but has also generated employment opportunities, particularly for women who are involved in the distribution and delivery of LPG cylinders.
