Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Empowering Women, Safeguarding Health Through Clean Energy.

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched on May 1, 2016, worked to save the lives of millions of women in India. The ambitious scheme by the Government of India envisions extending clean cooking fuel in the form of LPG to BPL households of the country, targeting the women members leaving aside women below the poverty line. Traditionally, they have been left off from such priorities and use solid fuels of wood, dung, and residues of crops to cook.

The target under the scheme was to release 8 Crore LPG Connections to the deprived households by March 2020. Provision for the release of additional 1 Crore LPG connections under PMUY has been made in the Union Budget for FY 21-22. In this phase, special facilities have been given to migrant families.

Extension of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for the release of 75 lakh LPG connections over three years from FY 2023–24 to 2025–26.

As of July 2024, there are 10.35 crore PMUY beneficiaries. 

Need & Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:

India, despite its rapid economic growth, still faces energy poverty and a lack of access to clean cooking fuel in rural areas. Traditional biomass used for cooking has huge health and environmental costs from indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases among women and children who are constantly exposed.

The primary objectives that instigated the designing of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana are:

• Improve Health: Reduce the health risks associated with indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods.

• Empower Women: Drudgery reduction in firewood collection will make women’s time available for productive work.

• Environment: LPG as a clean cooking fuel will reduce deforestation and carbon emissions.

• Economic Impact: Jobs will be generated and economic growth will be stimulated in the supply chain associated with LPG.

Also Read:- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban | Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan

Target Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Beneficiary	Description
Women belonging to BPL families	The scheme is designed to make women the principal beneficiaries in recognition of their role as household managers and decision-makers.
Families living in rural areas	Before PMUY, millions of Indian households, particularly rural ones, were dependent on unclean cooking fuels.
Especially vulnerable households, such as those headed by single women or widows.	The scheme recognizes that many vulnerable households face formidable challenges and places this sector of the population at the forefront of its inclusion efforts.
Families from SC and ST Communities	It is expected to achieve social equity by extending its services to such communities.

Benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:

1. Health Improvement: PMUY brings down indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods and will drastically reduce respiratory diseases among women and children.

2. Women’s Empowerment: As collecting firewood will no longer be required, the time of women will be freed for education, work, and other productive activities.

3. Environment: Deforestation and carbon emissions from the traditional use of biomass will be reduced by the use of LPG, hence ensuring environmental sustainability.

4. Safety and Convenience: LPG is a much more secure fuel in comparison with traditional fuels, which reduces the risks of burns and accidents within the household.

5. Social Benefits: LPG enhances women’s social status and decision-making power within households, thus advancing gender equality.

6. Economic Benefits: The economic opportunities are increased by the creation of jobs in the LPG supply chain, and entrepreneurship is stimulated in the form of women who become LPG distributors.

7. Government Support: Subsidies given by the government to LPG aid make them more affordable to the poor in the country and help lighten a heavy financial burden.

8. National Development: It has been contributing towards the holistic development goals of the country by way of health outcomes, women empowerment, and sustenance of energy use across the country.

Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to Citizens

• Government of India cash subsidy for PMUY connections: Rs. 1600 (for a connection 14.2kg cylinder/ Rs. 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder)

• This cash subsidy covers:
  • Security Deposit of Cylinder – Rs. 1250 for 14.2 kg cylinder/ Rs. 800 for 5 kg cylinder
  • Pressure Regulator – Rs. 150
  • LPG Hose – Rs. 100
  • Domestic Gas Consumer Card – Rs. 25
  • Inspection/ Installation/ Demonstration charges – Rs. 75
  • Also, the first LPG refill and Stove (hotplate) will be given free of cost to all PMUY beneficiaries along with their deposit-free connection by the Oil Marketing Companies.

• A targeted subsidy of Rs.300 per 14.2 kg cylinder, and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinder, for up to 12 refills per year to be given to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana during FY 2024-25.

Eligibility Criteria For the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana(PMUY):

1. The applicant woman’s age should be above or equal to 18 years.
2. There should not be an LPG connection from any OMC in the same household.
3. Women from living below the poverty line families.
4. People who come under SECC.
5. Women from Scheduled Caste families.
6. Women from Scheduled Tribe families.
7. SC/ST beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin.
8. Women beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
9. Women of extremely backward class (OBC).
10. Women belonging to tea and former tea plantation tribes.
11. Women of forest dwelling community.
12. Women living in islands and river islands.

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How To Apply Online For The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana? 

The steps for the online application to PM Ujjwala Yojana are as follows:

• Visit the official website of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) or the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of your state.

• Check eligibility: Ensure that you are categorized based on the SECC 2011 data to identify households below the poverty line without access to LPG.

• Online Application Form: One can also download or log in to an application form online from the concerned department’s official website. It may be provided under the category ‘Apply Online’ or ‘Registration’.

• Fill in Details: Enter correctly the asked details herein; for example, your name, address, Aadhaar number, bank account details, and SECC household identification number.

• Upload Documents: Scan and upload copies of supporting documents; proof of identity, address proof, and SECC certificate.

• Submit Application: Submit the application form online after checking the entered information.

• Track Application Status: On submission of the application, note at the end the application reference number provided to track the application status online.

• Collect LPG Kit: Take the required documents addressed and identify supporting proofs to the concerned Distributor and collect your Gas kit including cylinder, regulator, and hose.

Required Documents:

• Aadhar Card
• Age Certificate
• Proof Of Address
• Bank Account Passbook
• Ration Card
• BPL Card
• Antyodaya Card
• Mobile No.
• Passport Size Photo

Whom To Contact:

For more information, you can contact-

• 1906 (LPG Emergency Helpline)
• 1800-2333-5555 (Toll-Free Helpline)
• 1800-266-6696 (Ujjwala Helpline)

FAQ’s:-