Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana: Cooking Gas Subsidy Likely Extended by a Year

The government is considering extending the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) subsidy on cooking gas cylinders by another year, until March 31, 2025, according to sources. This move aims to provide continued financial relief to low-income families.

Current Subsidy Scheme:

Presently, the government provides a subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder to eligible beneficiaries under PMUY. This subsidy applies to a maximum of 12 refills per year, helping to offset the overall cost of cooking gas. The subsidy amount was recently increased from Rs 100 per cylinder in October 2023.

Impact of Extension:

Extending the subsidy for a year could incur an additional cost of Rs 12,000 crore for the government. However, it would offer significant savings for low-income households struggling with rising LPG prices. In major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, current LPG cylinder prices are around Rs 900.

Background of PMUY:

Launched in 2016, PMUY aims to provide cleaner cooking fuel and improve the health of women by distributing LPG connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Initially targeting five crore women beneficiaries, the scheme was expanded in 2018 to cover additional categories, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and migrant workers.

Eligibility for PMUY:

The enrollment process for PMUY is designed to be simple, especially for migrant workers. Minimal paperwork is required, and ration cards or address proof are not mandatory. Self-declaration serves as proof of address and family status for migrant applicants.