Context:

• A government-conducted study on social welfare programs has indicated that participants in the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) chose not to continue receiving refills primarily due to gender-related factors and the ready accessibility of traditional alternatives.

More about the news:

• Addressing gender dynamics: The study highlights that clean fuels can enhance women’s quality of life, reduce burdensome tasks, and create better opportunities.Effective policies must not only involve women but also address gender dynamics for equal decision-making power. 
• More Interventions for smokeless kitchens: The study suggests the PMUY should implement more interventions, awareness programs, and mindset shifts to achieve smokeless kitchens in India. 
• Bridging gender gap: The success of PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) is praised for narrowing the gender gap in house ownership, with more homes registered in women’s names in states like Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY):

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas 
• Aim: To provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
• Phase 1: The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016. The target under the scheme was to release 8 Crore LPG Connections to the deprived households by March 2020. 
• Phase2: Under the Union Budget for FY 21-22, provision for release of additional 1 Crore LPG connections under the PMUY scheme has been made. In this phase, special facilities have been given to migrant families.
• Current Status: As on 1st March 2023 there are 9.59 crore PMUY beneficiaries.

Target Beneficiaries under the scheme: 

• Adult women belonging to any of the following categories, are eligible beneficiaries under the expanded scheme.
  • SC Households
  • ST Households
  • Most Backward Classes
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
  • Tea and Ex- Tea Garden tribes
  • Forest Dwellers
  • People residing in Islands and River Islands
• Release of LPG connection under this Scheme shall be in the name of the women belonging to the BPL family.

Benefits to Citizens:

• Cash assistance: It is provided for PMUY connections by Government of India – Rs. 1600 (for a connection 14.2kg cylinder/ Rs. 1150 for a 5 kg cylinder). 
• LPF Refill: All PMUY beneficiaries will be provided with first LPG refill and Stove both free of cost along with their deposit free connection by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Subsidy: For the year 2023-24, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a subsidy of Rs. 200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

News Source: Business Standard