How Many Poor Families Benefit from the PMUY Scheme?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 10.41 crore LPG connections provided under the PMUY scheme.
- Target of 10.6 crore families to be covered.
- Rs 300 subsidy per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to nine refills.
- Average LPG consumption is increasing significantly.
- Safety measures enhanced through a nationwide campaign.
New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced on Tuesday that a remarkable 10.41 crore LPG connections have been successfully issued to deliver subsidised cooking gas to economically disadvantaged families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. The government is on track to meet its ambitious goal of providing coverage to 10.6 crore families within the framework of this initiative.
Puri emphasized that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has effectively established a comprehensive national framework for the reliable supply of clean cooking fuel, ensuring consistent availability with every refill.
“Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ujjwala scheme has redefined clean cooking from being merely a welfare program to becoming a dependable daily utility,” he remarked in a message on X.
To ensure affordability for the underprivileged, a targeted subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder is provided for up to nine refills annually under the PMUY scheme. This initiative has led to a significant increase in LPG consumption, with the average annual consumption rising from approximately three refills in 2019-20 to 4.47 refills in the fiscal year 2024-25, and projected to reach around 4.85 refills in the fiscal year 2025-26. These statistics underscore the growing adoption of clean cooking fuel, as reported by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
To address pending requests and achieve full LPG access, the government has sanctioned an additional 25 lakh LPG connections for the fiscal year 2025-26. Enhancements in subsidy targeting and transparency have been achieved through expedited Aadhaar authentication, with biometric verification covering 71 percent of PMUY consumers and 62 percent of non-PMUY consumers as of December 1, 2025, according to official sources.
Furthermore, consumer safety has been bolstered via a nationwide Basic Safety Check campaign. Over 12.12 crore safety inspections have been conducted at customer sites, and more than 4.65 crore LPG hoses have been replaced at discounted rates, significantly elevating safety standards and awareness regarding domestic LPG use, as highlighted in the statement.