UP and Bihar receives most LPG connections under PMUY

New Delhi: An RTI response revealed that the highest number of beneficiaries that received LPG connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) were from Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar..

Out of the total 21.08 crore LPG connections provided between 2016 and 2019 up until October, 4.39 crore connections were allocated to applicants registered in Uttar Pradesh followed by 2.27 in Bihar. While the least number of beneficiaries are from Chandigarh (55)

The data was provided in response to an RTI query filed by Hyderabad-based activist Galibe Vishal, Founding President of the Suraksha Yojana Welfare Society. He questioned the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on the number of applicants registered under the PMUY Scheme from 2015 to 2019 (until now). Secondly, how many applicants benefited under this scheme during the same period, and thirdly, the total amount disbursed. The ministry barring the third question replied to other queries.

Between the two Telugu states, Telangana received almost double the number of gas connections, when compared to Andhra Pradesh. Over 2.15 lakh in Telangana received connections, while it was 1.18 lakh in AP.

States like Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat and Sikkim, recorded the lowest beneficiaries. The BJP government envisage to provide five crore LPG connections to Below Poverty Line households; however, it has only reached halfway.

What is PMUY?

Under the scheme, an adult woman belonging to a low-income family not having LPG connection in her household is an eligible beneficiary under the expanded project. The programme provides financial support of Rs 1,600 for each LPG connection to the BPL household, interest-free loan to purchase a stove and refill by Oil Marketing Companies. The administrative cost of Rs 1,600 per connection, which includes a cylinder, pressure regulator, booklet, safety hose, etc., would be borne by the government.