Ujjwala Diwas to be observed on 20th April 2018 in Telangana

The District Nodal Officer of the IOC (Indian Oil Corporation), Rakesh Tikku informed that Ujjwala Diwas would be celebrated in Telangana under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
Under this scheme, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) would distribute 100 free gas connections to eligible women hailing from BPL and SC/ST families.

• As part of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, the gas connections would be provided to the poor women under PMUY which is a flagship programme of the government of India to provide clean cooking fuel to BPL women. 

Aim

• The PMUY aims to empower women and improve their health by easing out the burden of cooking on wood and ‘Chulha’. The village Sanasar has also been identified to be made smoke free by May 5, 2018.

Background

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in the state of Telangana on the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan. LPG connections were distributed to the BPL Women beneficiaries. The PMUY scheme has received an overwhelming response which has led the Government to revise the initial target of releasing 5 crore connections to 8 crore by the year 2020.

Key Facts

• The initial target of releasing LPG connection has been increased to 8 crore by the year 2020. To achieve this enhanced target, additional categories have been included under extended Ujjwala scheme viz. SC, ST, Most BC, Antyodaya Anna Yojana etc.
• The government is soon going to launch second phase of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) to cover additional households in the state.
• The expanded phase of PMUY will cover the households belonging to scheduled categories, beneficiaries of PMAY- Gramin, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, forest dwellers etc.
• PMUY has been a revolutionary initiative that has transformed the lives of more than 3.57 crore households all across the country.
• The initiative is in line with Governments aim to eradicate energy poverty, thereby promoting economic empowerment.
• Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned that the main mantra of PMUY is “Mahilaon KO Mila Samman, Swachh Indhan Behtar Jeevan”.
• He further said that in order to educate the BPL families, Government is organizing ‘Gram Swaraj Abhiyaan’ from 14th April – 5th May across the country showcasing 7 schemes of the central government. 
• On 20th April 2018, ‘Ujjwala Diwas’ will be celebrated by way of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Panchayats at 15000 locations in which large number of PMUY LPG connections will be distributed. 
• LPG Panchayats will focus on the key themes of Health, Economic cost, Safety, Environment and Empowerment.