PM Ujjwala Yojana: Jabalpur Residents Rejoice as They Move from 'Smoke-Filled Kitchens' to Clean LPG
Click to start listening
Jabalpur, Dec 25 (NationPress) The Prime Minister Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has emerged as a transformative initiative for millions of disadvantaged families in rural India. This program has liberated them from the dangers of harmful cooking fuels such as coal and firewood by facilitating the use of clean LPG gas, thereby shielding women from the adverse effects of indoor smoke pollution.
Sadhna Lodhi, a 48-year-old resident of Ramnagar, Jabalpur, expressed her gratitude to IANS, sharing how her life has changed since the launch of PMUY.
“I used to prepare meals on a traditional stove, enduring daily discomfort and smoke. Thanks to the Ujjwala Yojana, those hardships are now a thing of the past. I am incredibly thankful to PM Modi for bringing this initiative to life,” she remarked.
Another beneficiary, Shila Lodhi, from the same locality, discovered the scheme through local MLA Anurag Dahiya and proceeded to apply.
“This program has significantly improved our lives. Previously, we faced ongoing disruptions and health concerns while cooking with conventional stoves. Now, with LPG, everything has become much more manageable. I express my gratitude to PM Modi and our MLA for making this a reality,” she stated.
Initially launched on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to provide clean cooking fuel to households that previously relied on firewood, coal, and cow-dung cakes. These traditional fuels not only posed serious health risks to women but also contributed to environmental degradation. This groundbreaking initiative has enhanced women's health and provided them with improved living conditions, marking a significant progression in rural India.
Under the expanded Ujjwala 2.0, introduced in 2021, benefits were also extended to migrant families. On September 7, 2019, PM Modi himself delivered the 8th crore connection in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
As of the conclusion of the financial year 2023-24, a total of 10.31 crore LPG connections were issued under this scheme. The number of active LPG consumers, which was 14.52 crore in 2014, has more than doubled to 32.17 crore by February 2024.
States like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been at the forefront of PMUY implementation. These states have made remarkable strides in providing clean and affordable LPG connections to their residents, significantly contributing to the overall success of the initiative.
