Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Government achieves 5 crore Free LPG Connections Target

Union Government has announced that it has reached target of providing 5 crore free LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) almost eight months ahead of schedule (i.e. in 27 months instead of 35 months)

Key Facts

Uttar Pradesh (87 lakh), West Bengal (67 lakh), Bihar (61 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (45 lakh), Rajasthan (37 lakh) and Odisha (30 lakh) are six states that have accounted for nearly 65% of connections provided under PMUY and 47% of overall beneficiaries are from weaker sections of society i.e., SC/STs. World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised PMUY as one of decisive intervention by Government to address indoor air pollution which accounts for nearly 10 lakh deaths in year in the country.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

Union Government launched PMUY in May, 2016 with tagline of Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan. It aims at providing clean-cooking fuel to poor households, who are otherwise vulnerable to various health hazards associated with indoor air pollution and bringing in qualitative charges inliving standards.
Implementation: PMUY is implemented by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through its Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) i.e., IOC, BPCL and HPCL through their network of distributors across the country. PMUY is under implementation in the all the States/UTs. Through it, cash assistance is given to beneficiaries to get a deposit-free new connection. It is first welfare scheme implemented by Ministry of Petroleum.
Beneficiaries of PMUY: They are are identified through Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) List-2011 and in such cases where names are not covered under SECC list, beneficiaries are identified from seven categories which includes SC/ST households, beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana, PMAY (Gramin), Forest Dwellers, Most Backward Classes, Resident of Islands/River Islands and Tea Garden & Ex-tea Garden Tribes.
Target: Initially, Government had set target to provide deposit free LPG connections under PMUY to 5 crore BPL households by 31 March 2019. Considering its huge success, government had revised target to 8 crores with budgetary allocation of Rs. 12,800 crore.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018