In news- The Prime Minister launched Ujjwala 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – PMUY) by handing over LPG connections, at Mahoba Uttar Pradesh via video conferencing.
About Ujjwala 2.0
- In the Union Budget for 2021-22, provision for an additional one crore LPG connection under the Ujjwala scheme was announced.
- These one crore additional connections under Ujjwala 2.0 aim to provide deposit-free LPG connections to those low-income families who could not be covered under the earlier phase of PMUY.
- Along with a deposit-free LPG connection, Ujjwala 2.0 will provide first refill and hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries.
- The enrolment procedure will require minimum paperwork and in Ujjwala 2.0, migrants will not be required to submit ration cards or address proof.
- A self-declaration for both ‘family declaration’ and as a ‘proof of address’ will suffice.
Eligibility criteria to avail connection under Ujjwala 2.0
- Applicants ( woman only) must have attained 18 years of age.
- There should not be any other LPG connection from any OMC in the same household.
- Adult woman belonging to any of the following categories – SC, ST, 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, enlisted under SECC Households (AHL TIN) or any Poor Household as per 14-point declaration.
Ujjwala 1.0
- During Ujjwala 1.0 launched in 2016, a target was set to provide LPG connections to five crore women members of BPL households.
- It aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG.
- The scheme, introduced by the Union petroleum ministry, aims to make available cooking fuel such as LPG to rural households.
- Subsequently, the scheme was expanded in April 2018 to include women beneficiaries from seven more categories such as SC and ST communities, those under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), beneficiaries of the Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), forest dwellers, most backward classes, tea gardens and Islands.
- Also, the target was revised to eight crore LPG connections. This was achieved in August 2019, seven months ahead of schedule.
- As of July 30, 2021, the number of connections provided under the scheme stood at 79,995,022.
Source: PIB
