Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a noble initiative launched by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 1 May 2016 with a healthy aim to reduce the dependency on unclean cooking fuels and provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The scheme was launched from Ballia in Uttar Pradesh

The original aim of the Ujjwala Yojana was to distribute 5 crore LPG connections to women of BPL families however it’s scope was expanded to include 8 crore poor households in the Union Budget of 2018. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The scheme is presently being administered by Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Give-it-up’ subsidy campaign was also organized to complement the Yojana. Under it, LPG users who were able to afford to pay the market price for LPG were asked to voluntarily give up their part of the LPG subsidy. This campaign was launched in March 2015.

Contents

Need for Scheme

It was reported that the majority of the household in India, especially the rural ones were heavily relying on uncleaned fuel sources such as firewood, coal, dung-cakes, etc. WHO report stated that the smoke inhaled by women from unclean fuels is equivalent to burning 400 cigarettes in an hour. In such a case, it became imperative for the government to look out for this ignored section of our society.

To know more about WHO’s take on unclean cooking fuels and its guidelines, see PDF-

who-report

Benefits offered under Ujjwala Scheme

  • Cash assistance of Rs 1600/- per connection will be offered to each beneficiary
  • A security deposit for 14.2 kg / 5 kg cylinder will be provided
  • Installation /demonstration charges payable to the distributor along with the cost of issue of DGCC booklet
  • A security deposit for pressure regulator and Suraksha Hose (1.2 M) will be given too.

Objectives of PM Ujjwala Yojana

  1. To reduce the dependency on unclean cooking fuels such as firewood, coal, dung-cakes, etc.
  2. To bring empowerment to the women and protect their health.
  3. To prevent the population from a significant number of acute respiratory illnesses.
  4. To increase the network of LPG connections to BPL households in the nation.
  5. To reduce the serious health hazard arising out of indoor pollution.
  6. To promote the cleanliness and purity of the environment.
  7. To boost the ‘Make in India’ campaign as all the manufacturers of cylinders, gas stoves, regulators, and gas hose are domestic.

Contact

A toll-free helpline number has also been set-up to provide people with access to the scheme. Toll-free no.- 1800-266-6696.

ujjwala-helpline-no

A nation-wide 24×7 helpline number under the scheme was also set-up which can be accessed by calling 1906. People can call and register their LPG leakage complaints on this number.

Steps for Application for PMUY

  1. A woman of the BPL household may apply for a new LPG connection by reaching the nearest LPG distributor.
  2. Then She needs to fill up the Ujjwala Yojana KYC application form. Along with it, the applicant needs to submit their detailed address, Jandhan Bank Account and Aadhar number of all members of their family.
  3. Applicants also need to mention their requirement of cylinder type i.e. 14.2KG or 5KG.
  4. The connection will be then issued by the Oil Marketing Companies to the eligible beneficiaries.
  5. In case the consumer wants to go for the option of EMI, then the EMI amount will be adjusted against the subsidy amount.

Ujjwala Gas Yojana Form

ujjwala-form-english

To download Ujjwala forms in other languages, click here.

For enrolling in the scheme

  • The applicant’s name should be on the list of SECC-2011 data.
  • The applicant should be a woman above the age of 18 years.
  • The women applicant should belong to the BPL group.
  • The women applicant should have a saving bank account in any nationalized bank.

For registering on the PM Ujjwala site, click here.

As per the guidelines provided under the scheme, the people who will be eligible as beneficiaries under this scheme will be- the individuals who are listed in the SECC 2011 list, Most backward classes population, Forest dwellers, Tea & Ex-Tea Garden Tribes, people living on any kind of islands and those covered under Antyoday Anna Yojana. All SC/STs households beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) (Gramin) will also be covered under this scheme for availing the benefits.

Documents Required

  • An authorized BPL Certificate by Municipality Chairman or Panchayat Pradhan
  • BPL Ration card
  • Identity Proof with photo (Voter ID/Aadhaar Card)
  • A passport size photograph that was taken recently
  • Driving License
  • Copy of a passport
  • Self-declaration that has been attested by a Gazetted Officer
  • House Registration Documents
  • LIC policy
  • Ration Card
  • Possession letter or flat allotment
  • Any utility bill
  • Lease Agreement
  • Bank statement

The first four documents have been made compulsory. However, there is no need for Aadhaar in the case of Assam & Meghalaya.

Progress card of PMUY

  • In the first year of its launch, the program registered a massive feat of success as 22 million connections were distributed against the target of 1.5 crores.
  • As of 23 October 2017, 3 crore connections were distributed. Out of it, a whopping 44 percent of the connections were given to underprivileged families that includes scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
  • The number of connections further crossed the tally of 5.8 crores by December 2018.
  • According to the government data, The scheme has transformed the scene of the rural kitchen as it led to an increase in LPG consumption by 56% in 2019 as compared to 2014.

A total of 8,03,39,993 connections have been distributed as per the latest data. A state-wise distribution list can be seen below-

Number Speaks- (All figures in crores)- PIB  Source

Financial Year            Target        Connections released           Fund Reimbursed

2016- 17                      2.00                       2.00                                  2,500

2017- 18                      2.00                       1.56                                  2,251

2018- 19                      2.00                       3.62                                  3,200

In the latest move, India and Bangladesh have joined their hands to ensure the efficient supply of the LPG cylinders in the North-eastern states. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took to Twitter to share the new milestone of energy security between the two nations.

Conclusion

The scheme has really transformed the scene of rural kitchen which was earlier marked by indoor pollution and a breeding ground of respiratory diseases. However, the scheme’s implementation could be given more push as the incidence of untimely refills, non-transfer of subsidy amount and inefficient execution of the scheme has been reported on a few occasions.

The scheme has great potential to eliminate India’s dependency on uncleaned cooking fuels and reduce its carbon footprint. The scheme also carries an element of women empowerment and a sustainable environment which is a remarkable feat in itself.

By Saurabh Parmar

Digital Journalist (Specializing in Indian affairs & Contemporary Political development)

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