PM Narendra Modi will launch the 2nd version of Ujjwala free cooking gas connection scheme along with “a free refill and a stove” today (10 Aug 2021) from Mahoba district in Uttar Pradesh. The aim of ruling party is to repeat the success of its first version that brought political goodwill for BJP in the 2017 UP assembly polls, according to sources.
PM Under Ujjwala 2.0, the Centre will distribute approximately 10 million gas fittings, as well as free fuel and stoves, to the poor this fiscal year. About five years ago, Prime Minister Modi launched the first version of Ujjwala yojana in Baliya district on May 1, 2016 before the crucial UP elections.
This year Ujjwala scheme will also offer free refills and free stoves worth Rs. 800. Previously, under Ujjwala 1.0, only non-deposit LPG connections were provided to recipients with financial assistance in the amount of Rs.1600 where beneficiaries also had the option of borrowing loan at zero interest rate from public sector oil marketing companies for induction cookers and first refueling.
The Prime Minister will also deliver a speech today. According to a government spokesperson, the event will be attended by Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Suri and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The motive of the scheme was announced in the annual budget in February. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister on 1 February announced extending the scheme to ten million new beneficiaries in 2021-22. She said in her Budget speech, “Ujjwala Scheme which has benefited 8 80 million households will be extended to cover 1 crore [10 million] more beneficiaries”.
Apart from free first refill & a stove along with a deposit-free gas connection, Ujjwala scheme 2.0 will have a provision for online application. Official said, a migrant family can also apply for separate gas connections.
Under this scheme, priority is given to poor families belonging to the schedules castes (SC), tribes (ST), as well as families living in countries and regions where LPG [liquefied petroleum gas] penetration is lower than the state or national average.
Applicants must fill out a simplified Know-your-Customer (KYC) form that does not require a notarized affidavit. If migrants do not have a proof of residence, they can file a self-declaration.
Individuals can apply online through dedicated portals or public service centers, or through local gas agencies affiliated with the State Oil marketing Companies (OMC): Indian Petroleum Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Ujjwala 1.0 which is also known as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), released in 2016 for providing free LPG connection only to women in poor households. Initially, the goal was to provide 50 million LPG connections within three years from the beginning of fiscal year 2016-17, with a budget allocation of Rs.8000 crore. Subsequently, taking into account PMUY's success in providing clean cooking fuels and the resulting health, economic and environmental benefits, the target was revised to 80 million connections, and the total budget for fiscal year 2019-20 was Rs.12,800 crore.
