Govt hikes LPG subsidy for Ujjwala beneficiaries by 50% to Rs 300 per cylinder

• Ujjwala beneficiaries will get an additional subsidy of ₹100, taking the entire amount to ₹300, the Union Cabinet decided recently.
• This will benefit 9.6 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme

• The Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on 1st May, 2016 with the slogan of “Clean Fuel, Better Life”.
• Objective: To safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
• 5 crore LPG connections were to be provided to BPL (Below Poverty Line) families with a support of Rs 1600 per connection in the next 3 years (2016-19).
• Subsequently, the target was revised to 8 crore LPG connections in April 2018.
• Connections are issued in the name of women of the households.
• The identification of the BPL families is done through Socio Economic Caste Census Data 2011.
• The eligible beneficiaries receive a free LPG connection.
• The beneficiaries also receive a subsidy on the first six refills of 14.2 kg cylinders or eight refills of 5 kg cylinders.
• The beneficiaries can opt for an EMI facility to pay for the cost of the stove and the first refill.
• The beneficiaries can also join the PAHAL scheme to receive the subsidy amount directly in their bank accounts.

Prelims Takeaway

• Socio Economic Caste Census Data 2011
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Scheme