The Central Government is preparing to launch the Ujjwala Yojana 4.0, which will expand the existing welfare scheme aimed at providing free LPG connections to poor households. Under this new phase, the government is expected to provide more than 50 lakh additional free gas connections.
Current Status of Ujjwala Yojana:
- Total LPG Connections in India: There are currently 31.40 crore LPG connections across the country, with approximately 33% (10.33 crore) of these connections provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
- Initial Launch: The scheme was initially launched on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, with a target of providing 8 crore free LPG connections to poor households.
- Previous Phases: Following the success of the initial phase, PMUY 2.0 was introduced in 2021, and later, PMUY 3.0 was launched in 2023, continuing the momentum of the program.
Growth in LPG Usage:
The average LPG consumption among PMUY beneficiaries has significantly increased over the years. In 2019-20, the average refill rate was 3.01 cylinders per household, which has now increased to 3.87 cylinders by January 2024, reflecting a 29% rise.
Why Ujjwala Yojana 4.0:
Despite the success of the previous phases and the achievement of the initial targets, there remains a high demand for the scheme among vulnerable families. This demand has driven the government to plan for an extension through Ujjwala Yojana 4.0, ensuring that more underprivileged households can benefit from free gas connections.
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