Parliament Question: Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana expansion and LPG coverage

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 303 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2026 PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA EXPANSION AND LPG COVERAGE 303 SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA: SHRI MADAN RATHORE: SHRI RYAGA KRISHNAIAH: SHRI BABURAM NISHAD: SHRI MOKARIYA RAMBHAI: SHRI MAYANKKUMAR NAYAK: Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: - (a) the total number of beneficiaries covered under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) as on December, 2025, including district-wise details of the State of Rajasthan; (b) the details of the Cabinet approval for 25 lakh additional LPG connections in September, 2025 and the progress in their distribution; (c) the impact ofimproved LPG coverage under PMUY on the reduction of respiratory illnesses and indoor air pollution-related health conditions; and (d) the safety initiatives undertaken, including free inspections and LPG hose replacements? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a): Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in May, 2016 with an objective to provide deposit free LPG connection to adult women from poor households across the country. As on 01.01.2026, there were about 10.43 crore PMUY connections across the country including 74.32lakh connections in Rajasthan. The district-wise details of number of PMUY connections in state of Rajasthan are at Annexure-A. (b): Government has approved the release of 25 lakh additional LPG connections under PMUY during Financial Year 2025-26 to clear pending applications and achieve saturation of LPG access in the country.Government has approved an expenditure of ₹676 crore for the release of these connections, which includes ₹512.5 crore for providing 25 lakh deposit-free connections at the rate of ₹2,050 per connection, ₹160 crore for targeted subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder (for up to nine refills per year, proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinders), and ₹3.5 crore towards project management expenses, transaction and SMS charges, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) activities, and administrative expenditure. Out of these 25 lakh new connections, as of 01.01.2026, OMCs have already released 10.35 lakh connections.(c): PMUY scheme has had a significant positive impact on the lives of rural households, especially women and families in rural and remote areas including shift from traditional cooking methods that involve burning solid fuels like wood, dung and crop residues. The use of cleaner fuel lowers indoor air pollution, leading to improved respiratory health, particularly among women and children who are traditionally more exposed to household smoke. A study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) highlighted that in 2019 the estimated annual average ambient air quality (PM2.5) levels of major Indian states were in the range of 5–16 μg/m³ under the business-as-usual scenario (without PMUY), whereas with the implementation of PMUY, the levels were estimated to be in the range of 4–8 μg/m³. This indicates that PMUY has a positive implication for both household and ambient air pollution. Further, an evaluation of PMUY conducted by IIT Kanpur across six states found that indoor air quality during cooking hours were nearly twice as good in households using LPG cylinders compared to low-LPG and traditional chulha-using households. The analysis of the PMUY survey carried out as part of this evaluationdemonstrates the health benefits of LPG usage under PMUY, especially for primary cooking persons. (d): Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) ensure that LPG connections are released after satisfying and meeting all the safety norms stipulated for installation of LPG connections. Provisions, norms and steps taken to ensure compliance with safety standards while providing connections in all areas are as under (i) Grant of approval for manufacturing units of LPG cylinders, valves and LPG regulators and design of these equipments, licensing of storage premises, cylinder testing and filling etc. is regulated under Gas Cylinder Rules 2016. (ii) Safe usage of LPG cylinders by Domestic LPG consumers, including PMUY beneficiaries are governed under Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order 2000. (iii)LPG cylinders are periodically tested for safety as per norms of the Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO). (iv)Supply of a laminated safety card with pictorial depictions of do’s and don’ts related to LPG connection to every PMUY beneficiary at the time of releasing LPG connections. Installation of LPG connection at premises of the customer by a trained mechanic. (v) Organisation of Safety Clinics by distributor to spread awareness about safety aspects of LPG. Dedicated round the clock helpline number (1906) for immediate action in case of LPG leakage complaints. (vi) Organisation of mass awareness programs on safe usage of LPG through audio- video/print media, banners/hoardings, leaflets, pamphlets, etc. (vii) Organisation of Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayats in villages to spread awareness about safe and sustained usage of LPG amongst PMUY beneficiaries.To improve awareness amongst LPG consumers, a Basic Safety campaign was organised during March, 2024 to December, 2024 across the country under the theme “Khushiyan Ab Teen Guna” with the objective of reaching the doorsteps of domestic LPG customers. The campaign was designed to educate consumers on the safe usage of LPG, complemented by extensive mass awareness initiatives through print and electronic media, on-site safety checks at customer premises and the replacement of Suraksha hoses. The campaign achieved significant progress with over 12.12 crore free basic safety checks conducted at customer premises without any cost to consumer and more than 4.65 crore LPG hoses replaced at discounted rates. Additionally, audio-visual (AV) materials were utilized during various field safety initiatives, such as LPG Panchayats and LPG Safety Clinics in schools, as well as for general public outreach. These AVs were also shared across social media platforms to maximize reach and impact.Special emphasis was laid on covering PMUY beneficiaries and low-income group customers to ensure safe usage of LPG and adequate availability of connections. *********Annexure-A Annexure referred to part (a) of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 303 to be answered on 02.02.2026 regarding “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana expansion and LPG coverage”. District-wise, number of PMUY connections in Rajasthan (As on 01.01.2026) District Number of PMUY connections Ajmer 1,60,881 Alwar 2,44,605 Balotra 1,21,999 Banswara 2,65,986 Baran 1,75,276 Barmer 2,84,790 Beawar 81,975 Bharatpur 1,54,075 Bhilwara 3,06,397 Bikaner 2,71,860 Bundi 1,48,576 Chittorgarh 2,04,358 Churu 2,32,318 Dausa 2,22,068 Deeg 1,26,975 Dholpur 1,70,637 Didwana-Kuchaman 1,36,292 Dungarpur 2,39,261 Ganganagar 1,97,692 Hanumangarh 1,50,723 Jaipur 3,09,680 Jaisalmer 1,20,239 Jalore 2,13,500 Jhalawar 2,21,126 Jhunjhunu 1,78,052 Jodhpur 2,43,111 Karauli 1,59,609 Khairthal-Tijara 78,923 Kota 95,586 Kotputli-Behror 89,310 Nagaur 2,21,175 Pali 1,52,827 Phalodi 88,069 Pratapgarh 1,50,203 Rajsamand 1,59,858 Sawai Madhopur 1,27,214 Sikar 2,23,442 Sirohi 1,23,807 Salumbar 76,406 Tonk 1,80,804 Udaipur 3,22,706 Source: IOCL on behalf of PSU OMCs