Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Access to Clean Cooking Fuel for Millions

The Central Government of India Launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana with tagline “Clean India, Better Life”

Until a few years back, food was only prepared on chulhas in villages leaving a health hazard impact on women’s health. Many diseases catch women due to smoke coming out of gas & coal burning. To deal with this problem, the Central Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched on 1st May 2016. This scheme provides cooking gas free of cost to poor families.

PM Ujjwala Yojana Portal

This scheme initiated by current PM Narendra Modi in the Ballia region of Uttar Pradesh aims to provide free gas connections to poor families. Women are required to use only LPG gas throughout the year, which is why they are availed with subsidized gas cylinders. In addition, when obtaining such a connection one gets financial assistance of Rs 1600 to buy other essential goods related to this gas connection. Also, an EMI facility for purchasing gas stoves is provided by the government.

Date of Launching	1st May 2016
Launched By	PM Narendra Modi
Oil Companies Participants	IOCL, BPCL and HPCL
Beneficiaries	Women BPL (All States/UTs)
Government Ministry	Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Central Objectives and Basic Aim of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

The central point of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is to supplant conventional, unsafe cooking strategies that utilize wood, charcoal, or other biomass powers with cleaner and more productive LPG. Routine strategies regularly cause well-being issues due to indoor discuss contamination and contribute to deforestation. By giving free LPG associations and advancing reasonableness, PMUY points to:
Improve well-being results: Diminish respiratory and eye maladies caused by the smoke from conventional cooking methods.
Empower ladies: Reduce physical burden as well as the time went through on collecting fuel so that they can lock in in other profitable activities.
Promote natural maintainability: Diminish reliance on biomass powers to diminish deforestation and pollution.

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Execution and Reach of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Under PMUY, eligible beneficiaries receive assistance for the initial costs of an LPG connection, including the gas cylinder and stove. In addition, the government provides financial assistance for installation and first refill. The scheme primarily targets Below Poverty Line (BPL) families run by women.

The program is implemented through a network of public sector oil marketing company deliver LPG connections. Beneficiaries are identified through a comprehensive listing based on socioeconomic criteria ensuring that the assistance reaches the poorest households.

Since its inception, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has marked important milestones. By 2024, more than 10 crore (100 million) connections have been given making it one of the largest social security programmes in India. Extensive use of LPG has resulted in a significant decrease in consumption of traditional cooking fuels contributing to improved air quality and health outcomes in rural areas.

Challenges and Solutions Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Although the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has made considerable strides, it faces several challenges:

Refill Affordability: Although it initially entailed free linkage, poor families can find refilling low-priced gas cylinders burdensome. In this regard, the government put various direct transfer schemes and subsidies to ensure that low-income earners can afford it.
Infrastructure and Supply: In remote regions, lack of adequate infrastructure and coordination may hinder the effective distribution of LPG. To overcome these problems, the government has invested in expanding distribution networks and improving supply chain management.
Awareness and Training: Some beneficiaries may lack knowledge or experience in using LPG systems. Both the government and oil companies have engaged in extensive awareness campaigns and training initiatives on the safe and efficient use of LPG for consumers.

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Eligibility Criteria Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

Those candidates who meet the criteria mentioned below are eligible to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:

Only women above 18 years of age can apply. The woman applying should be an Indian citizen.
She must belong to a Below Poverty Line family and no one from her family should hold an LPG connection.
The monthly income of the family should be below then a certain limit that is given by UT / State Governments.
The applicant’s name has to be in the list of SECC-2011 and it should match with the information provided in the BPL database maintained by oil marketing companies.
The candidate should not already have registered under any other such scheme provided by the government.
In addition to this, she is also required to submit documents indicating her BPL status, identity verification, etc.

How to Apply Online to Avail the Benefits of the scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

To apply online to avail benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, check the following steps:

Firstly, go to the official site of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at www.pmuy.gov.in.
Now on the home page, you need to click on the download option.
Then a choice to download four shapes will open for you that includes Ujjwala Shape Hindi, Ujjwala Frame English, Ujjwala KYC Shape Hindi, and the fourth Ujjwala KYC Shape English.
You can just press any of these four choices which relates to language preference followed by downloading it.
Alternatively, this form can also be obtained from the LPG center.
After getting the printed frame fill in all details asked such as name, age, and address.
The form will also ask for a list of required documents which should be attached to it.
Make sure you check the form once again then submit it at your nearby LPG center.
once your form and signature verification of all documents is done, a gas connection shall be provided free of cost.

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How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana without going to the LPG center

To start with, go to the Ujjwala Yojana official site www.pmuy.gov.in.
On the homepage select ‘Apply for PMUY Connection’.
A dialogue box will open in front of you where you will find several options provided. These options will contain links to source cylinders from different gas company organizations.
You click on any box. The company whose gas cylinder you want to obtain.
After this another page will open. In it required information such as your name, dealer’s name, mobile number, address, and pin code has been mentioned.
After filling in all the information yield all the necessary documents.
Now click the apply button on the webpage. Thus your application gets completed.

Wrapping UP

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a testament to the Indian resolve to enhance rural livelihoods and promote environmental sustainability. By providing clean cooking fuel to millions of households, the scheme has not only improved health and economic outcomes but has also opened doors for a more sustainable and equitable future. As it continues to innovate and respond to changing needs, PMUY remains the cornerstone of India’s social welfare strategy, propelling its progress towards a cleaner and healthier nation.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana FAQs:

Q1. What to apply for a free gas connection?

Go to the official website of www.pmuy.gov.in.
By clicking on the option of Ujjwala Yojana 2.0, you will have to choose the gas distribution company.
Provide your mobile number and the information required.
You will get the reference number. After this, you will get a call for a connection.

Q2. What documents are required in Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?

Required Documents for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwal Yojana:

BPL ration card
BPL certificate authorized by Panchayat Pradhan/Municipality Chairman
A photo identity card (Aadhaar card or Voter ID card)
A recent passport-size photograph
Basic details like name, contact information, Jan Dhan/bank account number, Aadhaar card number, etc.

Q3. When will you get a free gas connection in 2024?

The main target is to distribute 70 new Ujjala gas connections in the year 2024-25. If you have not applied yet there is a good chance to get the benefit of the scheme.

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