Question

Ujjwala Yojana is not just an energy achievement but also social and economic achievement.” Discuss.

Answer 1

Approach:

• Write one or two lines about the scheme.
• There are three keywords in the question ‘Energy achievement’, ‘Social achievement’ and ‘Economic achievement’. So try to link all three with the scheme.
• In conclusion, try to summarize your answer or give the way forward or suggestions to further improve the scheme

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel – LPG so that they don’t have to compromise their health in smoky kitchens or wander in unsafe areas collecting firewood.

Ujjwala Yojana and Energy Achievement
Before the launch of Ujjwala Yojana, India was home to more than 24 Crore households out of which about 10 Crore households were deprived of LPG as cooking fuel and have to rely on firewood, coal, dung – cakes etc. as the primary source of cooking. But since the launch of the scheme almost more than 7 crore LPG connections have been distributed. PMUY has played a significant role in the increase, of LPG penetration in rural areas. It has provided them with a cheap and reliable source of energy which was earlier not available.

Ujjwala Yojana and Social Achievement
The smoke from burning such fuels causes alarming household pollution and adversely affects the health of Women & children causing several respiratory diseases/ disorders. As per a WHO report, smoke inhaled by women from unclean fuel is equivalent to burning 400 cigarettes in an hour. In addition, women and children have to go through the drudgery of collecting firewood. So LPG is helping to provide a clean environment to women of rural areas by providing them with a clean source of energy.

Ujjwala Yojana and Economic Achievement
PMUY is likely to result in an additional employment of around 1 Lakh and provide the business opportunity of at least Rs. 10,000 Cr. over the next 3 Years to the Indian Industry. Launch of this scheme will also provide a great boost to the ‘Make in India’ campaign as all the manufacturers of cylinders, gas stoves, regulators, and gas hose are domestic. Also in rural areas, the time taken to collect the firewood is saved and hence women can utilize that time to more productive work.
Till now the scheme has been able to achieve its target but we should also keep in mind that its objectives are also met. For this, a number of initiatives can be taken like the government can subsidize the gas cylinders of households taking benefit under the scheme, also proper awareness should be spread about using the benefits of using LPG gas etc.