The central government will provide free gas connection to women from BPL families in the country under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) offers financial assistance of ₹ 1600 to women from both BPL and APL ration card-holder families. Its goal is to provide LPG gas connections to all impoverished APL and BPL households across the country by 2024. To qualify for the PMUY scheme, the female beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
The central government has granted a subsidy on domestic LPG gas cylinders, providing significant relief to beneficiaries of the PMUY scheme. This move will result in a lower cost for cooking gas. Anurag Thakur, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, revealed that 9.59 crore beneficiaries of the PMUY will receive a subsidy of ₹ 200 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder each year. Additionally, the government has approved the filling of 12 cylinders per year. The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a subsidy of ₹ 200 per cylinder for 12 LPG cylinders during the first financial year. This decision will cost the government a total of ₹ 6,100 crore for the financial year 2022-23. For the financial year, the central government has allocated ₹ 7,680 crore for thePMUY scheme, which will be covered by the central treasury.
PMUY is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2016 to provide LPG (liquid petroleum gas) connections to households in rural and economically weaker sections of society. Around 10 crore households are still without cooking gas and must rely on firewood, coal, cow dung cake, and other alternative fuels. The smoke produced by the combustion of wood stoves causes hazardous household pollution and hurts the health of women and children.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to provide clean cooking fuel to women from below-poverty line (BPL) families as a means to improve their health and well-being, as well as protect the environment by reducing the use of traditional biomass fuels. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is implementing the scheme. The connections will be issued in the name of the women of the households under this scheme, ensuring women’s empowerment, particularly in rural India.
PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Free Gas Connection |
| was started | by Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Relevant departments | Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas |
| Current year | 2024 |
| Channel | Online process |
| Beneficiary | Women from all classes of the country |
| Objective | Providing free gas connection facilities to the citizens |
| Official website | www.pmuy.gov.in |
Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- Empowerment of women and protection of their health.
- Reduction of serious health hazards associated with cooking using fossil fuels.
- Reduction in the number of deaths in India due to the use of unclean cooking fuels.
- Prevention of young children from contracting acute respiratory illnesses caused by indoor air pollution resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.
Eligibility Criteria of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
To be eligible for the scheme, the following criteria must be met by the applicant:
- The applicant must be female.
- The applicant should be under 18 years of age.
- The applicant should fall below the poverty line.
- The applicant must have a bank account.
- The applicant should not already possess an LPG connection.
Target Beneficiaries
The program became more popular as its scope was widened to cover 80 million impoverished families, up from the previous goal of 50 million families, with an extra budget of ₹ 4,800 crore. The expanded scheme offers eligibility to adult women falling under any of the following categories.
- SC households
- ST households
- Most Backward Classes
- Tea and Ex-Tea Garden tribes
- Forest Dwellers
- People residing in Islands and River Islands
- SECC households (AHL TIN)
- Poor households as per 14-point declaration
- Beneficiary women must be 18 years of age or older
- The household must not have any other LPG connections
LPG connections provided under this scheme will be in the name of the BPL family’s female members.
Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- PMUY is a scheme for women living below the poverty line.
- The scheme provides free gas connections to women.
- Customers do not have to pay any loan for the first 6 refills of a 14.2 kg cylinder, but EMI will have to be paid after the seventh refill. For a 5 kg cylinder, there is no EMI till seventeen refills.
- The scheme allows citizens with 5 kg gas cylinders to get 8 cylinders in 3 months.
- The money for buying gas will be transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- The second cylinder installment will be sent 15 days after the first installment.
- Beneficiaries will receive information about the free gas connection through SMS on their mobiles.
- In the first phase, over 8 crore women have benefited from the scheme.
- Families without residence certificates, identity cards, or ration cards can also get free gas connections under PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0.
- The scheme provides poor women with free gas connections to avoid the health risks of cooking food on stoves.
- All women without gas connections can benefit from the PMUY scheme
The Government of India provides cash assistance of ₹ 1600 for a 14.2 kg cylinder connection (or ₹ 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder connection) under the PMUY scheme. The cash assistance covers:
- Security deposit for cylinder: ₹ 1250 for a 14.2 kg cylinder, or ₹ 800 for a 5 kg cylinder
- Pressure regulator: ₹ 150
- LPG hose: ₹ 100
- Domestic gas consumer card: ₹ 25
- Inspection, installation, and demonstration charges: ₹ 75
In addition, PMUY scheme beneficiaries will receive the first LPG refill and a stove (hotplate) free of charge, along with a deposit-free connection provided by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a subsidy of ₹ 200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be extended to beneficiaries of the (PMUY) for the year 2024.
Documents Required for Application in Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The applicant must possess all the required documents to apply for PM Ujjwala Yojana. Only then can the applicant complete the application process. The following is a list of all the necessary documents.
- The Aadhaar Card of the applicant
- Voter ID Card
- Address proof
- BPL ration card
- Mobile number
- Passport size photo
How to Apply Offline in Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 2024?
- Interested women can download the application form for the PMUY scheme from the official website or our website.
- Fill out the application form accurately with details such as Aadhaar card number, mobile number, name, and address.
- Attach all the required documents to the application form.
- Submit the application form and documents to the nearest gas agency.
- After verification of the application form and documents by the gas agency officer, the LPG gas connection will be issued within 10 to 15 days.
How to Check Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Status?
Candidates who have applied for a gas connection under the PM Ujjwala Yojana can track the status of their application online. To do so, they can follow the steps outlined below.
- Visit the official website of your gas provider company to check the status of the PM Ujjwala Yojana scheme application.
- If you use Bharat Gas, go to the official website of Bharat Gas.
- Look for the link to Ujjwala Beneficiary on the homepage and click on it.
- Choose your state and district on the next page.
- Enter the captcha code given and click on the submit button.
- All information related to your gas connection will appear on the screen, allowing you to check the status of your Ujjwala Yojana gas connection.
Under Ujjwala 2.0 Scheme
- Migrant workers can now get gas connections without address-proof documents by submitting a self-declaration of their residential address.
- A parliamentary committee has made observations on the performance of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
PMUY Scheme 2.0 Application Process
To avail of the benefits of the PMUY Scheme, applicants can follow the steps provided here to complete the application process.
- First, go to the official website of the scheme.
- On the homepage, click on ‘Apply for New Ujjwala Connection 2.0.’
- On the next page, click on the option for your gas provider and then click ‘Click here to apply.’
- Fill out the application form for the new connection.
- You can download and print out the form.
- Provide all the information requested in the form, such as your name, date of birth, and place of residence.
- Attach all the necessary documents to the form.
- Review the form and the documents carefully before submitting them to the LPG center.
- After verifying your form and documents, the center will enroll you in the Ujjwala Yojana.
Process to Download All Important Forms
- Go to the official website of the PMUY scheme.
- The homepage will appear on your screen.
- Click on the ‘Forms’ option.
- The following options will be displayed.
- KYC form
- Supplementary KYC document and undertaking
- Self-declaration for migrant
- Preinstallation check
- Click on the form option that meets your requirements on the official website of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
- The form will be displayed in PDF format.
- Click on the download option.
- By following these steps, you can download all the necessary forms.
Procedure to Locate Nearest LPG Distributor
- To begin, visit the official website of the PMUY scheme.
- Once the homepage loads, select one of the following options under ‘Find Your Nearest LPG’
- Distributor
- Indane
- Bharat GasV
- HP
- Next, select your state and district.
- Click on the ‘Locate’ button.
- The relevant information will appear on your computer screen.
WHO & Household Air Pollution
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights several critical points regarding the impact of unclean cooking practices, which can bolster the case for initiatives like PM Ujjwala Yojana:
Approximately 3 billion people worldwide cook using open fires or simple stoves fueled by kerosene, biomass (such as wood, animal dung, and crop waste), and coal. Roughly 4 million people die prematurely each year due to illnesses attributed to household air pollution, a significant portion of which stems from inefficient cooking methods involving polluting stoves and solid fuels like kerosene. Particulate Matter (PM) from household air pollution contributes to half of all pneumonia deaths among children under 5 years old.
WHO reports that of the 3.8 million deaths linked to this pollution:
- 27% are due to pneumonia
- 18% are attributed to stroke
- 27% are from ischaemic heart disease
- 20% are caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- 8% are due to lung cancer
WHO also notes that the number of people with access to clean cooking fuels is projected to remain unchanged by 2030, hindering progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, supported by WHO and the Climate Clean Air Coalition, is an international initiative aimed at improving air quality and reducing associated health impacts.
Challenges
- Its high initial cost, and no support by the government at the refining stage force the poor to pay more.
- Administrative concerns are a big challenge. For example, data discrepancies in Aadhaar.
- Logistics: Lack of last-mile connectivity and filling plants in rural areas.
- Behavioral concerns: Despite having LPG, people still use wood to save costs.
Implementation Modalities of the Scheme
- Eligible women of BPL households without LPG connection may apply for a new LPG connection to the distributor, either online or in person.
- Required details include KYC, ration card, Aadhaar of beneficiary and family members, proof of address, and bank account number with IFSC.
- LPG Field officials will verify BPL status against the SECC-2011 database and enter the information into an OMC web portal.
- OMCs will undertake electronic de-duplication and other measures for due diligence before issuing the connection to eligible beneficiaries.
- Connection charges will be borne by the government, and the option for EMIs will be provided by the OMCs to cover the cost of a cooking stove and first refill.
- Melas (gatherings) will be organized by OMCs in various locations for the release of connections to BPL families in the presence of public representatives and distinguished personalities.
- The scheme covers BPL families under all forms of distributorship and various cylinder sizes, depending on the field situation.
- No other scheme name or tagline will be allowed without the express approval of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
State-Wise PMUY Connections
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is currently implementing a scheme with a budget allocation of ₹ 2000 crore for the fiscal year 2016 to 2017. This initiative aims to provide LPG connections to more than 1.5 crore families living below the poverty line. Over three years, this scheme will be executed with a total budget of ₹8,000 crore. Savings from the ‘Give-it-up’ subsidy campaign will also contribute to this effort. Eligible households, headed by women, will receive Rs. 1,600 in support, with the option of availing EMI facilities.
Key Observations
In September 2019, the government achieved the goal of providing eight crore LPG connections through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. However, only three states – Haryana, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh – have managed to become kerosene-free. Meanwhile, several Union Territories including Delhi, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Andaman & Nicobar Island, and Puducherry have also become kerosene-free.
Key Issues and Gaps Highlighted by the Committee
- The scheme has been discontinued.
- The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the discontinuation of the scheme and believed that there were still many areas left to be covered.
- There are poor households in urban and semi-urban areas of the general category that require coverage.
- Many people in several states still rely on kerosene for cooking and household lighting.
Purpose of PM Ujjwala Yojana Toll-Free Number
The main goal of establishing this helpline number is to provide an easy way to obtain all information related to the country’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. People in the country can get help with their issues by dialing this toll-free number. People associated with this scheme can contact this toll-free number anytime and from any location.
The helpline number serves as a one-stop solution for all queries, complaints, and assistance related to the PM Ujjwala Yojana. It is designed to make it easy for people to get information about the scheme, apply for a connection, and get assistance with any issues they may face.\
Ujjwala Helpline 24×7 Number
PMUY Scheme already has a 24×7 toll-free number 1906 available for LPG customers in the country. Now a new number 18002666696, has been specifically issued for inquiries about PM Ujjwala Yojana connections. However, if you encounter any issues, you may reach out to the helpline numbers 1906 and 18002333555 for assistance.
PMUY will be available in a variety of languages via this new toll-free number. If you are having difficulty obtaining a free gas connection under this scheme or if you have any other questions, you can call this toll-free number. Beneficiaries of the PM Ujjwala Yojana are chosen using SECC-2011 data, which can be downloaded from the NIC website.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Helpline Number Highlights
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana |
| Started by | The Central Government |
| Helpline number | 1906 |
| Toll-free number | 18002666696 |
Benefits of PM Ujjwala Yojana Helpline Number
- The helpline number can be used to get information about the scheme, including eligibility criteria, the process of applying for a connection, and the status of an application
- The central government will provide free gas connection to women from BPL families in the country under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
- The helpline number can be used for inquiring about the subsidy status, subsidy transfer, and other related queries
- The helpline number is toll-free, which means that people can call it without incurring any phone charges
Purpose of PM Ujjwala Yojana Toll-Free Number
The main goal of establishing this helpline number is to provide an easy way to obtain all information related to the country’s PMUY scheme. People in the country can get help with their issues by dialing this toll-free number. People associated with this scheme can contact this toll-free number anytime and from any location.
The helpline number serves as a one-stop solution for all queries, complaints, and assistance related to the PM Ujjwala Yojana. It is designed to make it easy for people to get information about the scheme, apply for a connection, and get assistance with any issues they may face.
Whom to Contact?
For more information, contact
- 1906 (LPG Emergency Helpline)
- 1800-2333-5555 (Toll-Free Helpline)
- 1800-266-6696 (Ujjwala Helpline)
- MoPNG e-Seva is the official platform for addressing grievances in the Oil & Gas Sector, which operates through social media channels.
Contact Number for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Refill
| Indane | |
| IVRS | 7718955555 |
| missed calls | 8454955555 |
| 7588888824 | |
| Bharat Gas | |
| IVRS | 7715012345, 7718012345 |
| missed calls | 7710955555 |
| 1800224344 | |
| HP gas | |
| IVRS | click here |
| missed calls | 9493602222 |
| 9222201122 |
Feedback Process
- Go to the official website of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
- Click on the ‘Feedback’ option on the homepage.
- Fill out the Feedback Form with the required information.
- Click on the ‘Submit’ option.
- Your feedback will be submitted.
FAQs
What is Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a government scheme that provides free gas connections to women from poor families who do not have access to gas connections.
Which citizens will be able to get the benefit of PMUY?
PMUY is aimed at providing benefits to women belonging to families below the poverty line (BPL).
What is the official website of PM Ujjwala Yojana?
What is the age limit of the applicant woman for applying in PM Ujjwala Yojana?
To apply for PM Ujjwala Yojana, women from families holding BPL cards and aged 18 years or older are eligible to apply.
Can I get information on subsidy status, subsidy transfer, and other related queries through the helpline number?
Yes, you can use the helpline number to get information on subsidy status, subsidy transfer, and other related queries.
Is the helpline number available in vernacular languages?
The helpline number is available in multiple languages to assist people from different regions and linguistic backgrounds.
Can I get information about the nearest LPG distributor through the helpline number?
Yes, you can use the helpline number to get the contact details of the nearest LPG distributor in your area.
Can I renew or re-issue my connection through the helpline number?
Yes, you can use the helpline number to get information on renewing or re-issuing connections.
What is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana helpline number?
The helpline number for PM Ujjwala Yojana is toll free 18002666696
