Ujjwala expands LPG coverage from 55% to 90% of households

Ujjwala expands LPG coverage from 55% to 90% of households

News

According to government sources, LPG overage has risen from 55% of households in 2014 to 90%, an increase of 63%. This increase has been attributed to the rapid rollout of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY)

Important Facts

About PMUY

1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. It was launched in May 2016 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh
2. The scheme aims to replace unclean cooking fuels used in the most underprivileged households with clean and more efficient LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Issues:

1. Affordability: Though the number of LPG connections has increased significantly, the LPG consumption has only increased marginally. This is primarily because many people with new connection are not refilling their cylinders after the first use as the refilling charges remain unaffordable for most of the people
2. Distribution: The number of distributors is not at par with increasing number of LPG consumers in rural areas. The long waiting time to get a refill for an empty LPG cylinder is a major impediment to LPG adoption
3. Awareness: Low awareness with regard to advantages of LPG as a cooking fuel still remains an issue hindering LPG consumption.