PM Ujjwala Yojana – The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has recently undergone an exciting update: now, two women in the same household can receive free LPG connections under the scheme. This change is a big deal, especially for families with multiple women in the household, and it aims to make cooking fuel more accessible to even more people, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where the reach of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has still been growing. The new rule helps address rising cooking gas prices and the increasing need for inclusive welfare initiatives.
What’s PMUY All About?
Launched in 2016, PMUY aimed to provide free LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The goal was simple: reduce the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods, like using firewood, and replace them with clean energy options like LPG. It was about making cooking safer, quicker, and healthier for women in households across India.
Some of the key objectives of PMUY were to provide clean cooking fuel, empower women by saving time and improving health, and reduce dependency on firewood and other harmful fuels.
The New Twist: Two Women in One Household Can Benefit
Before this change, only one woman from each household could avail of the benefits of the PMUY scheme. But with the new update, two eligible women from the same household can now apply for and receive LPG connections, along with the associated refills and subsidies.
Here’s what’s changed:
- Both women must meet the eligibility criteria.
- They’ll each get their own LPG connection and can avail of the refills and other benefits.
- This allows for more cylinders and more support each year for large or joint families.
Eligibility for the Second Woman
There are some important rules in place to make sure that this new provision doesn’t get misused. To apply for the second connection, the second woman must meet the following requirements:
- Relationship: She must be the daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, or another dependent of the first woman.
- Age: She should be at least 18 years old.
- Proof of Identity: The second woman needs to provide a government-issued ID such as Aadhaar or Voter ID.
- Same Address: The second woman must reside at the same address as the first beneficiary.
- Income Level: She needs to be from a BPL (Below Poverty Line) or Antyodaya family.
- Active Connection: The first woman must already have an active PMUY LPG connection.
- Bank Account: The second woman must have a separate bank account for the subsidy transfer.
- Verification: A home visit will be conducted by the LPG distributor for verification.
Why This Update Matters
This change is particularly helpful for large families or joint families where multiple women cook separately. Here’s why it’s a big deal:
- Faster Cooking: Multiple women can cook in their kitchens without needing to share LPG cylinders, which speeds up meal preparation.
- Separate Subsidies: Each woman gets her own subsidy, which means more support for larger households.
- Health Benefits: More women in the household can benefit from cleaner cooking fuel, which means fewer health risks from smoke inhalation.
- Rural Empowerment: This policy also increases LPG penetration in rural areas where cleaner cooking fuel may have been less accessible.
- Economic Boost: More refills mean more business for local LPG distributors and delivery services, which can boost the rural economy.
How to Apply for a Second Ujjwala Connection
If you meet the eligibility requirements, here’s how you can apply for a second LPG connection:
- Visit your local LPG distributor (Indane, Bharat Gas, or HP Gas).
- Fill out the PMUY Know Your Customer (KYC) form with your documents.
- Submit proof of residence, identity, and your relationship to the first beneficiary.
- There will be a field verification process where the distributor staff will visit your home to confirm the details.
- Once approved, the LPG connection, along with the cylinder and regulator, will be set up.
What Subsidies Will You Get?
This updated policy also brings some changes to the subsidies that both women will receive. Here’s a breakdown:
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| Item | First Woman (Existing) | Second Woman (New Beneficiary) |
|---|---|---|
| Free LPG Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Free First Refill | Yes | Yes |
| Free Stove | Yes | Yes |
| Yearly Subsidized Refills | Up to 12 cylinders | Up to 12 cylinders |
| Subsidy per Cylinder | Approximately ₹300 | Approximately ₹300 |
| Direct Benefit Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Local Offers | As per distributor | As per distributor |
| Validity | 3 years (renewable) | 3 years (renewable) |
Possible Challenges
While this is a positive step, there are a few challenges that could arise:
- Misuse of Connections: There’s a risk that urban families may misuse the system to get additional connections, so stringent verification processes will be needed.
- Authenticity of Joint Families: Ensuring that applicants are indeed part of a joint family can be tricky, especially in urban areas where multiple families often live together under one roof.
- Distribution Strain: With more connections being issued, it could put pressure on LPG distribution logistics.
To counter these concerns, the government has promised to tighten the verification process and conduct thorough checks to prevent fraud.
A Step Toward Women’s Empowerment
This new rule is not just about providing more fuel; it’s a social move that acknowledges the role of women in the household and the economy. It recognizes that multiple women often cook separately in joint families, and by giving them access to separate LPG connections, the government is empowering them further. This initiative helps rural women gain more independence and contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment.
The update to PMUY isn’t just a policy change—it’s a significant step toward making cleaner energy more accessible to all and boosting the rural economy. If you’re an eligible woman in a household that could benefit, this is a great opportunity to apply and take advantage of the scheme’s expanded support.