In a major relief to poor and middle-class families, the Indian government has announced free LPG gas cylinders under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). This initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide clean cooking fuel to households that still rely on traditional methods like wood or coal. The PMUY scheme was launched to ensure that women, in particular, are relieved of the health hazards posed by indoor air pollution caused by unsafe cooking practices.

Under this program, eligible beneficiaries can avail themselves of free LPG connections and subsidized refills. The primary goal is to protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that every household across rural and urban India has access to cleaner energy sources. To apply, applicants must meet certain criteria such as being permanent residents of India, belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, and possessing valid Aadhaar cards linked with ration cards. Priority is given to women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or other marginalized communities.