Ujjwala Beneficiaries to Receive Two Free LPG Refills, Transforming Women's Lives

बलरामपुर उत्तर प्रदेश | अनिरुद्ध प्रताप शुक्ल

Government Initiative to Empower Women with Free LPG Refills

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards promoting the economic empowerment and health security of women by deciding to provide two free LPG cylinder refills for the financial year 2026-27 to eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

The new initiative was formally launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Lok Bhawan in Lucknow. A live broadcast of the event was also viewed at the Collectorate Auditorium in Balrampur district. Shyam Manohar Tiwari, representative of the District Panchayat President, was the chief guest at the district-level program held in Balrampur. On this occasion, Chief Development Officer Himanshu Gupta and District Supply Officer Kumar Nirmalendu, along with other departmental officials and a large number of beneficiary women, were present.

Two Phases for Free Refills

To facilitate the implementation of this scheme, it has been divided into two phases. The first phase will run from October 2026 to December 2026, during which eligible women can avail their first free cylinder refill. The second phase will operate from January 2027 to March 2027, providing the second free refill.

Thus, by the end of the financial year 2026-27, eligible women will be able to receive a total of two free refills. Balrampur district has a total of 2,22,954 beneficiaries registered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Out of these, 1,69,482 women have successfully completed their e-KYC (Electronic Customer Identification) process. This e-KYC process is extremely important for the smooth implementation of the scheme and direct subsidy transfer to the beneficiaries' accounts.

Subsidy Transfer Process

During the program, 10 beneficiary women were honored with symbolic checks for the subsidy amount. Officials clarified that beneficiaries must first pay for the cylinder refill from their own pocket to the gas agency. After payment, the subsidy amount, which is ₹1,013 per cylinder, will be directly transferred to their bank accounts within five days. Completion of e-KYC is mandatory for this process.

District Supply Officer Kumar Nirmalendu detailed the government's contribution to the subsidy distribution. He stated that out of the total subsidy of ₹1,013 per cylinder, the Central Government is bearing ₹356.17, while the Uttar Pradesh government is contributing ₹656.83. This joint effort is a significant initiative to make LPG accessible in rural areas and discourage the use of traditional fuels.

Positive Impact on Women's Health and Finances

Chief Development Officer Himanshu Gupta highlighted the social and economic significance of this scheme, stating that this step will bring about a positive and comprehensive change in the living standards of rural families, especially women. The use of LPG as a clean fuel will not only protect the health of women, who often suffer from various respiratory illnesses due to smoke from traditional stoves, but will also reduce the financial burden of fuel purchase. This will increase their savings capacity, allowing them to spend money on other essential needs.

During the program, representatives from the concerned gas agencies were also instructed to continuously educate beneficiaries about the scheme's process, eligibility criteria, and its benefits. Regional Food Officer Vijay Prakash Sahay, Amit Kumar Singh, and all six supply inspectors of the district, along with other departmental staff, were also present on this important occasion. The government's new initiative is strongly expected to provide direct financial relief to thousands of women in Balrampur district and improve their quality of life.