Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) 2.0
Background and Context
For centuries in rural India, women used firewood, cow dung cakes, and kerosene for cooking. This not only exposed them and their children to indoor air pollution (causing respiratory and eye diseases) but also consumed time and effort in collecting firewood. To solve this, the government launched PMUY in 2016, aiming to provide deposit-free LPG connections to poor households.
The scheme proved very popular—targeting 8 crore families initially. Later, seeing its success, the government extended it as PMUY 2.0.
Purpose of PMUY 2.0
The core idea is very clear:
👉 To safeguard the health of women and children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).
So, the focus is both on health protection and women empowerment, because the gas connection is issued in the name of the woman only.
Eligibility and Beneficiaries
Who gets the benefit? The scheme is targeted, not universal.
- Applicant:
- Must be a woman above 18 years.
- Belong to a poor household with no existing LPG connection.
- Priority Groups (as per infographic you shared):
- Households identified in SECC List 2011
- SC/ST households
- PMAY (Gramin) beneficiaries
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families
- Most Backward Classes
- Forest Dwellers
- Residents of Islands / River Islands
- Tea Garden and Ex-tea Garden Tribes
- Other poor families
📌 Thus, the scheme is designed to include almost all vulnerable sections of society.
Salient Features of PMUY 2.0
- Original Target (2016): 8 crore connections.
- PMUY 2.0: Additional 1.6 crore connections, with a special facility for migrant households (self-declaration allowed, no need for ration card or address proof).
- New Expansion (2023–26): Additional 75 lakh connections, raising the total target to 10.35 crore connections.
Benefits Provided
- Deposit-free LPG connection (no upfront cost for the cylinder and regulator).
- Financial Assistance:
- ₹1,600 per connection.
- ₹300 subsidy per 14.2 kg refill (up to 12 refills per year).
- Exclusion: If a household already has an LPG connection from any Oil Marketing Company, they are not eligible. Also, if there is no adult female member, the family cannot apply.
Enrollment Process
- Eligible woman submits a KYC form to the nearest distributor.
- Documents required: Aadhaar, Ration Card, Bank details, Proof of Address.
- For migrant workers, only self-declaration is enough.
LPG Panchayat
This is a unique awareness component of PMUY.
- It is a community-level meeting, where women users discuss:
- Safe handling of LPG
- Health and environmental benefits compared to traditional fuels
- Best practices for usage
This converts beneficiaries into agents of behavioral change in their community.
Broader Significance
- Health Benefits: Reduces respiratory problems, eye irritation, and indoor pollution.
- Women Empowerment: Connection issued in woman’s name, giving her recognition.
- Social Equity: Focus on SC/ST, BPL, Forest Dwellers, etc.
- Environmental Impact: Reduces deforestation and carbon emissions.
✅ In short: PMUY 2.0 is not just about providing LPG cylinders—it is about giving dignity, health, and empowerment to rural women, while also ensuring environmental sustainability.