LPG connections available to 90% of India’s population: Pradhan

LPG connections available to 90% of India’s population: Pradhan

PW Bureau

Ujjwala, which has already reached over 6 crore households in a span of just three years, is expected to cover 8 crore homes by the next financial year, says Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas

New Delhi: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) coverage in India has surged to 90 percent in the last five years, compared to 55 percent in 2014, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said while inaugurating the Asia LPG Summit 2019. Ujjwala, which has reached over 6 crore households in a span of just three years, is expected to cover 8 crore homes by the next financial year, said the minister.

"The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which was launched in May 2016 with a target of 5 crore of deposit free LPG connections, has already covered over 6 crore vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of the society, and it will cover 8 crore by the next financial year," Pradhan said, adding that the scheme is now universal, covering all poor households.

Pradhan hailed Ujjwala as a ground-breaking scheme that has not just transformed the lives of women in rural India but has protected their families from indoor pollution resulting from smoke-filled kitchens.

'Protecting families from health implications'

"LPG connections are now available to 90 percent (of the) population which was just about 55 percent in 2014. He said that traditional fuel causes pollution and has health implications. Switching over to LPG has not only empowered women, but has also protected their families from indoor pollution," said Pradhan.

He also pointed out that India has become the second largest importer of LPG.

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