On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a reduction of Rs 100 per domestic LPG cylinder bringing down the cooking gas prices. This decision will benefit around 33 crore households relying on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across the nation. Further, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was extended yesterday to another year and over 10.2 crore poor households enrolled in the PMUY will get this new price cut of RS 100 along with the existing subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder.
With the price cut, the standard 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder will now be priced at around Rs 803 in Delhi, Rs 802.50 in Mumbai, Rs 829 in Kolkata, and Rs 818.50 in Chennai. Those availing subsidies under PMUY can now GET LPG cylinders within the range of Rs 503 to Rs 529, depending upon their state of residence.
“By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our commitment to empowering women and ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ for them,” PM Modi said in a post.
According to data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) as of 2023, LPG serves as the primary energy source for nearly 50 per cent of rural households while the rest of them rely on fossil fuel.
Union Cabinet yesterday approved the continuation of the PMUY subsidy at Rs 300 per cylinder for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25). Under the PMUY, from 2016, LPG connections are provided to adult women from financially disadvantaged households free of cost. This means government extends a one-time cover, of the Security Deposit of the Cylinder at Rs. 1250 for a 14.2 kg cylinder or Rs. 800 for a 5 kg cylinder, the pressure Regulator at Rs. 150, LPG Hose at Rs. 100 and Domestic Gas Consumer Card – Rs. 25. So Rs 1,600 can be saved when getting the connection.
While the initial connection is free of cost, beneficiaries must purchase subsequent LPG refills, however, they get a subsidy of Rs 300 each time.
An adult woman (above 18 years) from a poor household, without an existing LPG connection from any other Oil Marketing Company (OMC), may apply. Further, she must belong to the SC or ST category or beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), Most Backward Classes (MBC), Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), Tea and Ex-Tea Garden tribes, Forest Dwellers, People residing in Islands and River Islands. If someone is identified in the earlier Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) criteria, they may also apply.
PMUY enrollment Applications can be submitted to any distributor either in person or through the online portal. If you are applying online go to - pmuy.gov.in/ and provide details such as address, Jandhan Bank Account, and Aadhar number of all household members in the application form. Then upload the necessary KYC documents. After processing the request, the connection will be issued by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to the eligible beneficiaries.
Offline applications for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana can be submitted by filling out and submitting an application form at the local LPG distribution agency.
