Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Introduction
India has long battled the issue of indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking fuels like wood, coal, and dung cakes. To combat this, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)—a flagship scheme that aims to provide LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, helping them switch to clean cooking fuel.
Launched in May 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PMUY is a landmark initiative under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aiming for universal access to clean cooking fuel.
Objectives of PMUY
- To reduce health hazards caused by indoor air pollution.
- To empower women by reducing their cooking burden.
- To protect the environment by reducing the use of polluting fuels.
- To increase the use of LPG in rural and remote areas.
Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) |
| Launch Date | 1st May 2016 |
| Implemented By | Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas |
| Target Beneficiaries | Women from BPL households |
| Financial Assistance | ₹1600 per connection |
| Beneficiary Age Criteria | Women above 18 years |
| Free Services | LPG connection, pressure regulator, safety hose |
| Optional Loans | For stove and refill |
How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the nearest LPG distributor (Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas).
- Collect and fill the Ujjwala Yojana KYC form.
- Submit the form along with the required documents.
- The distributor will verify details and process the LPG connection.
- Connection will be provided along with training for safe usage.
📝 You can also download the PMUY application form from the official site:
https://pmuy.gov.in
Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The main beneficiaries of the scheme are women belonging to poor families not having an LPG connection in the household. Initially, the following categories were covered under the scheme by the Government:
- List of beneficiaries in the SECC 2011 list
- All SC/ST’s households beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)(Gramin)
- Antoyoday Anna Yojana (AAY)
- Forest Dwellers
- Most backward Classes (MBC)
- Tea and Ex- Tea Garden Tribes
- Residents of islands and river islands
The benefit of the scheme has been extended to people residing in Hilly states, including North-Eastern (NE) states by treating them as ‘priority states’.
Eligibility Criteria Under PMUY
- The applicant must be a woman above the age of 18.
- The applicant must have the BPL card and must be a rural resident.
- The applicant must have a savings bank account in any of the nationalised banks to receive the subsidy amount.
- The applicant’s household must not already own an LPG connection.
Documents Required For PM Ujjwala Yojana
The documents required to apply for the scheme are:
- BPL ration card.
- Authorised BPL Certificate (Authorised by the Panchayat Pradhan/ Municipality Chairman).
- Photo Id – Aadhar Card/ Voters ID.
- A recent passport size photograph.
Process of Implementation of PMUY
- A woman of the BPL family not owning the LPG must apply to the LPG distributor for a new connection (in the prescribed format).
- While applying for the connection, the applicant must provide details like Address, Jandhan/Bank Account, and Aadhar card number (Incase the applicant does not own an Aadhar card, efforts will be made for coordination with UIDAI to issue Aadhar card to the applicant).
- The LPG fuel officials will match the details provided with the SECC – 2011 database and confirm the BPL status of the family and enter the given details into a dedicated portal given by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC).
- OMC’s will conduct the de-duplication exercise and other measures for due diligence electronically.
- On completion of all the above steps, the LPG connection will be issued by the OMC’s.
- The Government bears the connection charges. However, the OMC’s will offer EMI option to the applicant, and the same will be recovered from the subsidy due to the applicant every month.
- The release of new connections will also be done by the OMC’s thorough Melas at various locations.
- The scheme will cover BPL families under all forms of distributorship and for various sizes of cylinders depending on the field situation.
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Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is not just a welfare scheme; it’s a social revolution that brings health, dignity, and empowerment to millions of women across India. By ensuring affordable access to clean cooking fuel, PMUY contributes to a greener, healthier, and more equitable society.
