SRINAGAR: The Indian government has sanctioned the release of 25 lakh additional free LPG connections to women from poor households under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for the current financial year, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced, according to several media reports.
This expansion will increase the total number of PMUY connections to 10.58 crore, the ministry said in a statement, as reported by The Hindu. The government has allocated Rs 676 crore for this initiative, which includes Rs 512.5 crore for the distribution of 25 lakh deposit-free connections, at a cost of Rs 2,050 per connection. An additional Rs 160 crore will be used for subsidies on domestic LPG cylinders, providing Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to nine refills per year, and Rs 3.5 crore will be allocated for project management and related expenses.
Under the PMUY scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection, which covers the cost of the cylinder, pressure regulator, ‘suraksha’ hose, and installation charges, as well as a domestic gas consumer card (DGCC) booklet. The first refill and stove are also provided free of charge, with all costs covered by the government and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Beneficiaries can choose from a 14.2 kg single bottle connection, a 5 kg single bottle connection, or a 5 kg double bottle connection, depending on their needs. The application process has been simplified and digitised, allowing eligible adult women from households without an existing LPG connection to apply online or at public sector OMC distributors using a simplified KYC form and Deprivation Declaration.
This move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that clean cooking fuel is accessible to the nation’s most disadvantaged families, with an emphasis on improving health, safety, and convenience for rural women.
