Lok Sabha Question No. 924 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Sunil Baburao Mendhe

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 924 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  February, 2024

## Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

924  Shri Rajendra Dhedya Gavit: Shri Sunil Baburao Mendhe:

पेůोिलयम एवं ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मं ýी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that more than 9.5 crore LPG connections have been disbursed under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of strategies and endeavours that have been employed to augment LPG coverage in the country through PMUY; and

(c) the ways in which this initiative has positively impacted the lives of rural households, with a special focus on women and families residing in remote areas?

## ANSWER

## पेůोिलयम एवं ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मंýालय म¤ राºयमंýी ( ®ी रामेĵर तेली ) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a): Yes Sir. As on 31.01.2024, 10.15 Crore PMUY connections have been released across the country.

(b): Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was started in May, 2016 with an objective to provide  access  of  clean  cooking  fuel  to  poor  households  across  the  country.  Under  PMUY, deposit  free  LPG  connections  are  provided  to  adult  women  from  poor  households  as  per defined  criteria.  In  order  to  augment  LPG  coverage  in  the  country  various  steps  have  been taken  including  organizing  campaigns  for  promotion  of  PMUY,  organizing  melas/camps  to enroll  and  distribute  connections,  promotion  through  Out  of  Home  (OOH)  hoardings,  radio jingles,  Information,  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  Vans  etc.,  spreading  awareness about advantages of using LPG over other conventional fuels and safe usage of LPG through LPG Panchayats, enrolment/awareness camps under Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, facilitation of consumers and their families for Aadhar enrolment and opening of bank accounts for getting PMUY connections, simplification of process of getting LPG connection, online application for PMUY connection at www.pmuy.gov.in, nearest LPG distributors,  Common  Service Centres (CSC) etc., option of 5 Kg Double Bottle Connection (DBC), swap option from 14.2 Kg to 5 Kg,  provision  for  Migrant  Families  to  avail  new  connection  on  Self-Declaration  instead  of Proof of Address  and Ration Card.

(c):    Independent  studies  and  reports  have  shown  that  PMUY  scheme  has  had  a  significant positive  impact on  the lives  of  rural  households, especially women  and families  in rural and remote areas. Some key benefits are briefly explained below: (i) PMUY had resulted in a shift from traditional cooking methods that involve burning solid fuels like wood, dung, and crop residues. The use of cleaner fuel lowers indoor air pollution, leading  to  improved  respiratory  health,  particularly  among  women  and  children  who  are traditionally more exposed to household smoke. (ii)  Households  in  rural  areas,  especially  those  in  remote  locations,  often  spend  a  significant portion  of  their  time  and  energy  in  collecting  traditional  cooking  fuels.  LPG  has  reduced drudgery and the time spent on cooking by women of poor households. The free time, thus, available with them can be utilized in multiple spheres for enhanced economic productivity. (iii) Transition from biomass and traditional fuels to LPG reduces the dependency on wood and other biomass for cooking purposes, leading to a decrease in deforestation and environmental broader degradation. This benefits not only the households but also contributes to environmental conservation efforts.

(iv) The use of LPG for cooking reduces the risk of accidents related to open fires, which is particularly  important  for  the  safety  of  women  and  children.  Accidental  burns  and  injuries associated with traditional cooking methods are minimized, contributing to a safer household environment.

(v) With improved cooking facilities, there is a potential positive impact on nutrition. Families may find it easier to cook a variety of nutritious meals, contributing to better overall health.

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