Extension Of LPG Cylinder Subsidy Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana By One Year

The central government decided to extend the LPG cylinder subsidy of Rs 200 by another year. This subsidy provision was made under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the wake of the high prices of petroleum products in the international market. The news of the extension was reported by Times Now.

The Centre launched this subsidy program, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in May 2016, in order to provide deposit-free LPG connections to poor adult women. In the past two years the consumption of PMUY users increased by 20 per cent. There were 3.01 refills for the year 2019-20 and 3.68 refills for 2021-22.

As per the news, Anurag Thakur, Information and Broadcasting Minister made the extension announcement and it would benefit around 9.6 crore families. He further said the total expenditure would be Rs 6,100 crore for the financial year 2022-23 and Rs 7,680 crore for 2023-24. The subsidy will be credited directly to the bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the subsidy move. The union minister said that it is vital to protect PMUY beneficiaries from inflated LPG prices due to various geopolitical reasons. The consumers availing the PMUY support are benefiting alot from this, and thus are encouraged to use LPG continuously, as per the press release.

The press release even stated that "It is important to ensure sustained LPG adoption and usage among PMUY consumers so that they can completely switch to cleaner cooking fuel," It is worth noting that as of March 1, 2023, there were 9.59 crore PMUY beneficiaries.

From March 1, 2023 the government decided to increase the prices of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders. A cylinder weighing 14.2 kg will cost Rs 50 extra in Delhi taking the revised rate to Rs 1103. While a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder price was increased by Rs 350.50, so now the commercial cylinder costs Rs 2119.50 in the national capital territory.