Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Launched by: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOPNG).
Launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 01 May 2016
Goal: Provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to rural and poor households that traditionally used harmful fuels like firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes.
Objectives of PMUY
By providing clean cooking fuel, the scheme aims to improve women's health.
The scheme aims to reduce the number of deaths in India caused by health problems due to the use of unclean cooking fuels.
By switching to LPG, the scheme helps prevent acute respiratory illnesses in children caused by indoor air pollution from burning traditional fuels
Features of PMUY:
₹1,600 is provided for each LPG connection to BPL (Below Poverty Line) households.
Ujjwala 2.0 provides a free hotplate and the first refill to beneficiaries.
There is also no deposit required for getting an LPG connection.
Beneficiaries can pay for the stove and first refill in installments.
Benefits of PMUY
Eligible households receive a free LPG connection.
Beneficiaries get subsidies on the first six refills of 14.2 kg cylinders (or 8 refills of 5 kg cylinders).
Beneficiaries can join the PAHAL scheme to get subsidies directly in their bank accounts.
Phases of PMUY
Phase I (Launched in 2016)
The goal was to provide 8 crore LPG connections to deprived households by March 2020.
Result: LPG coverage increased from 62% in May 2016 to 99.8% by April 2021.
Ujjwala 2.0 (Launched in 2021):
Target: Release an additional 1 crore LPG connections to eligible households by March 2022.
Impact of PMUY in Jammu and Kashmir
In rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), 85.07% of households have an LPG connection.
68% of these LPG connections were provided under PMUY.
Only 4.41% of rural households, especially in Rajouri (Jammu), do not have access to LPG.
Despite increased LPG access, 92% of households still use traditional cooking methods like chulhas.
85% of households practice fuel stacking — using both LPG and solid fuels like firewood, due to cultural preferences and affordability issues.
In Kulgam, BPL (Below Poverty Line) households with PMUY adoption saw a reduction in respiratory issues like coughing, chest infections, and headaches.
Additional appliances (like rice cookers) and higher education levels also contributed to better health outcomes.
Way Forward
Targeted campaigns to inform rural households about the health benefits of using clean fuels like LPG.
Expand the number of LPG distribution points in remote and rural areas to make refilling easier.
Provide more financial support for LPG refills to reduce the burden on low-income households, encouraging exclusive LPG use.
Increase access to modern cooking appliances like rice cookers to improve LPG adoption and reduce reliance on traditional fuels.
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