Central Government Cuts Ujjwala Scheme LPG Subsidy Quota to 4 Cylinders Per Year

The Central Government has reduced the number of subsidized LPG cylinders available to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from 9 cylinders to 4 cylinders per year, marking another major change to the flagship welfare scheme.

Launched in 2016, the Ujjwala scheme was designed to encourage low-income households to switch from traditional firewood stoves to cleaner cooking fuel. Under the program, eligible families living below the poverty line were provided an LPG connection without a security deposit, along with a free cooking stove.

Initially, beneficiaries under the scheme were entitled to 12 subsidized LPG cylinders (14.2 kg each) annually. The allocation was later reduced to 9 cylinders, and it has now been further cut to 4 cylinders per year.

Despite the reduction in the number of subsidized cylinders, the government continues to provide financial assistance under the scheme. The subsidy amount per cylinder was previously increased from ₹200 to ₹300, benefiting eligible households.

According to Praveen Mal Khanooja, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the revised allocation is aligned with the average annual LPG consumption pattern of Ujjwala beneficiaries.

The decision comes at a time when rising international crude oil prices have placed significant financial pressure on state-owned oil marketing companies. Increasing energy costs have impacted the profitability of public sector oil firms and contributed to recent fuel pricing adjustments.

Reflecting these challenges, public sector oil companies recently announced another increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices, marking the second hike in the past three months.

Following the latest revision:

• LPG price in Chennai increased from ₹928.50 to ₹957.50
• LPG price in New Delhi increased from ₹913 to ₹942

The move is expected to have a significant impact on millions of households enrolled in the Ujjwala scheme, particularly those that rely heavily on subsidized cooking gas for their daily needs.

While the government maintains that the revised allocation reflects actual usage trends among beneficiaries, the reduction is likely to spark discussions regarding affordability and access to clean cooking fuel among low-income families across India.