The Committee has approved Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – scheme for providing free LPG connections to women from BPL households.
Under the scheme, ₹8,000 crore has been earmarked for providing five crore LPG connections to BPL households.
Through this scheme, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will provide LPG connections at a concessional rate to five crore below poverty line families, over the next three years.
The connections will be given in the names of women members of the households.
The scheme provides for a financial support of ₹1,600 for each LPG connection to the household, an official statement said, adding that the identification of such households will be done in consultation with State governments and Union Territories. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, said ₹2,000 crore has already been allotted for the scheme in the Union Budget for 2016-17, which will help provide LPG connections to 1.5 crore BPL families. Till now, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was providing LPG at concessional rates using the Corporate Social Responsibility funds of oil marketing companies.
After the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG scheme, 77 lakh people voluntarily surrendered their LPG subsidy, which has been utilised to provide 50 lakh BPL families with LPG connections.