✅ The Union Cabinet has recently approved the extension of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for release of 75 lakh LPG connections over 3 years from FY 23-24 to FY 25-26 increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 10.35 crore.

▪️Initiatives to expand LPG coverage:
✅ PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hastantarit Labh): To reduce “ghost” accounts and illegal use of household cylinders for commercial purposes, the LPG cylinders were not sold at subsidised price and rather at market price.
✅ The applicable subsidy was directly transferred to the individual’s bank account electronically.
✅ GIVE IT UP: Instead of removing subsidies forcefully, people were encouraged to voluntarily surrender their subsidies which helped redirect the funds to those who genuinely needed assistance in acquiring LPG cylinders.