Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is related to?
VerifiedAnswer: LPG Distribution
Explanation:
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a flagship social welfare scheme launched by the Government of India on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. This ambitious program is specifically designed to provide clean cooking fuel in the form of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households across the country.
The primary objective of this scheme is to replace the traditional cooking methods that rely on firewood, coal, cow-dung cakes, and other biomass with clean and efficient LPG. By doing so, the government aims to reduce the harmful effects of indoor air pollution, which particularly affects women and children who spend considerable time in the kitchen. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional cooking fuels can lead to serious respiratory diseases and other health complications.
Under the PMUY scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive a deposit-free LPG connection along with the first refill and hotplate free of cost. The scheme also provides financial assistance for purchasing the gas stove and pressure regulator. Initially launched with a target of providing 5 crore LPG connections over three years, the program was later expanded to cover 8 crore beneficiaries due to its tremendous success and positive response from rural communities.
The scheme targets women from various categories including BPL families, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana beneficiaries, Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries, forest dwellers, and residents of islands. The emphasis on women beneficiaries is particularly significant as they are the primary users of cooking fuel and are most affected by the health hazards associated with traditional cooking methods.
The implementation of PMUY has had far-reaching impacts on rural India. Apart from improving health outcomes, the scheme has also contributed to women's empowerment by saving them time and effort previously spent on collecting firewood. This additional time can now be utilized for other productive activities, education, or skill development. The scheme has also helped in reducing deforestation and environmental degradation caused by excessive dependence on biomass for cooking purposes.
The success of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana can be measured by the fact that it has achieved its targets ahead of schedule and has been recognized as one of the most successful social welfare programs in recent times. The scheme represents a significant step towards ensuring energy security, promoting clean cooking practices, and improving the overall quality of life for millions of Indian families, making it fundamentally about LPG distribution to the underprivileged sections of society.
