UP CM Yogi Adityanath Announces Free Gas Cylinder Refills for 1.86 Crore Families

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a significant announcement on Wednesday, stating that beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will receive free gas cylinder refills on the occasion of Holi and Ramadan.

Addressing a gathering in Lucknow, CM Yogi revealed that ₹1,890 crore will be allocated to benefit 1.86 crore families. This initiative aims to provide relief to these families ahead of the festive season.

The CM highlighted that the Ujjwala Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016, has already provided free gas connections to 10 crore families nationwide, including approximately 2 crore families in Uttar Pradesh.

CM Yogi stated, “Our government had promised that Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries would receive free gas cylinders on Diwali and Holi.” The government allocates ₹1,890 crore for this purpose each time, with an annual budget expenditure of ₹3,760 crore.

The CM emphasized that the Ujjwala Yojana has transformed the lives of women, who previously faced difficulties due to smoke while cooking and had to pay up to ₹25,000 as bribes to obtain gas connections.

In addition to the Ujjwala Yojana announcement, CM Yogi discussed various other initiatives, including:

– 80,000 ePOS machines installed at ration shops to prevent malpractices
– 15 crore people benefiting from the free ration scheme launched by the central government four years ago
– ₹25,000 financial assistance provided to 22 lakh girls under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana
– Four lakh poor girls married under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, with the assistance amount increased from ₹35,000 to ₹1 lakh
– Scooters to be provided to meritorious girls who excel in board exams
– Women’s working hostels to be established in each district, named after Ahilyabai Holkar

The CM also announced a ₹150 per quintal increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat.