Ujjwala Yojana - Liquified Petroleum Gas Distribution
उज्ज्वला योजना
Ujjwala Yojana provides subsidized LPG (cooking gas) connections to poor households, particularly targeting women. Government bears the cost of connection and first refill; subsequent refills are subsidized through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Key facts
- Free LPG connection provided to below-poverty-line and poor households; cost borne by government
- Government subsidy covers connection cost, pressure regulator, safety valve, and first refill
- Subsequent refill costs: Government provides subsidy (PAHAL) directly to beneficiary account; remainder paid by consumer
- Priority given to women as primary account holders; improves women's safety and kitchen air quality
- Application through nearest LPG distributor or online via PMUY portal (pmuy.gov.in)
Details
Ujjwala Yojana (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or PMUY) is a government scheme providing free LPG (liquified petroleum gas) cooking connections to poor and economically disadvantaged households. Launched in 2016, the scheme targets women as primary beneficiaries, promoting women's empowerment, health, and safety. Eligibility includes households below the poverty line, SC/ST households, and beneficiaries of SECC (Socio Economic and Caste Census) identified as poor. Application is done at the nearest LPG distributor office of authorized brands (Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum) or through the online PMUY portal. The government bears the complete cost of connection setup including cylinder, pressure regulator, safety valve, and pressure gauge. The first LPG refill is also provided free by the government. Subsequent refills are partially subsidized through the PAHAL scheme (Direct Benefit Transfer): the government transfers subsidy directly to the beneficiary's bank account linked to the connection, reducing the amount paid for refill. The actual amount paid varies based on international oil prices and government subsidy allocation. Each beneficiary receives a unique account number and can refill cylinders from any authorized distributor nationwide. LPG usage improves indoor air quality, reduces health hazards from open cooking fires, and reduces time spent collecting fuel. Over 9 crore connections have been distributed under the scheme. A critical pitfall: many beneficiaries face challenges obtaining regular refills due to irregular subsidy disbursement or deposit requirements at distributors. Additionally, incorrect documentation during application may lead to connection denials; verification of eligibility status is essential.