Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Launched on May 1, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is one of India’s most impactful welfare schemes aimed at transforming rural lives. Its major goal is to provide clean cooking fuel, which is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), to poor households, especially those who are situated in the rural and remote areas where traditional cooking methods have long exposed women and children to harmful indoor pollution. The scheme aligns with the government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”, aiming to promote health, environmental sustainability, gender equality and other relevant growth of the nation.

PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana)

Objectives of PMUY

The key objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana are:

1. Reducing Health Hazards: Traditional fuels like wood, cow dung, and coal release toxic fumes that are harmful to respiratory health, particularly for women and children. PMUY seeks to reduce indoor air pollution.
2. Promoting Women Empowerment: By providing LPG connections in the name of the woman in the household, the scheme acknowledges women as decision-makers and agents of change.
3. Environmental Conservation: Replacing biomass with LPG reduces deforestation and minimizing the level of carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
4. Encouraging Energy Access: The scheme aims to ensure that even the poorest sections of society have open access to modern energy services.

Evolution and Expansion

Initially, the scheme targeted 5 crore households below the poverty line (BPL), with an allocation of ₹8,000 crore. However, due to its success and widespread demand, the target was revised to 8 crore connections, which was achieved in September 2019—seven months ahead of schedule.

To make the scheme more inclusive, the second phase, known as Ujjwala 2.0, was launched in August 2021. This phase extended eligibility to include migrants, SC/ST households, forest dwellers, tea garden workers, and others not covered earlier. Ujjwala 2.0 also introduced additional features such as:

• A free first LPG refill.
• A free hotplate (stove).
• Simplified documentation for migrant workers, requiring only a self-declaration as address proof.

Implementation and Reach

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) through oil marketing companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). The cost of a new connection—including the security deposit, pressure regulator, and installation—was initially subsidized, and consumers could avail of EMI options for the stove and refill charges.

As of 2023, over 9.6 crore LPG connections have been provided under PMUY across the country. States like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have seen the highest number of beneficiaries.

Benefits of the Scheme

1. Health Improvements: According to reports by the WHO and various national studies, PMUY has significantly reduced indoor air pollution. This has led to a decrease in chronic respiratory diseases and eye problems among women in rural areas.
2. Economic and Time Savings: Women no longer need to spend hours collecting firewood to make food, giving them time to pursue education, work, or care for their families.
3. Women Empowerment: The scheme has played a pivotal role in acknowledging women as heads of households. It also increases their social status and decision-making power.
4. Job Creation: The expansion of LPG distribution networks has generated employment in manufacturing, exportation, transportation, retail services and many other relevant sectors.
5. Energy Equity: The scheme helps bridge the rural-urban divide in energy access, contributing to the government’s goal of inclusive development.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite its success, PMUY has faced some challenges:

1. Sustained Usage: Many beneficiaries have found it difficult to afford LPG refills after the initial free cylinders. Rising fuel prices often push households back to traditional fuels.
2. Awareness and Education: In some regions, there is still a lack of awareness about the health hazards of biomass and the benefits of LPG.
3. Supply Chain Issues: Rural and remote areas often face the various logistical and technical issues, which cause delays in delivery and maintenance of the services.
4. Affordability of Refill Cylinders: Although the government has provided the required subsidies, the refill cost remains high which without subsidy for ultra-poor families, leading to inconsistent usage patterns.

Government Measures to Address Challenges

To resolve the affordability issue, the government need to introduced subsidies of ₹200 per cylinder for PMUY beneficiaries (as of 2023-24) to make refills more accessible and more open to the desired poor families. In addition, the awareness campaigns, community programs and local training initiatives have been conducted to promote the sustained use of LPG.

Furthermore, the government need to continues to expand the distribution network and improve infrastructure to reach the last mile. The One Nation One LPG Connection initiative is another step toward streamlining portability and ease of access.

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is more than just a welfare program and it is also a progressive step toward the path of improving the quality of life of major section of underprivileged society of Indian households. By prioritizing health, environment, women’s empowerment and other relevant benefits, the scheme has brought meaningful change to the rural landscape. While challenges persist, continued policy support, innovation, and stakeholder participation can ensure that the vision of universal access to clean cooking fuel becomes a lasting reality.