Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: In a festive gesture for Holi 2026, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that 1.86 crore women beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in Uttar Pradesh will receive free LPG cylinder refills. The announcement was made at a program held at Lok Bhavan, Lucknow, where the CM distributed financial grants for the refills.
This initiative is part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to promote women’s empowerment, energy access, and rural welfare.
Ujjwala Scheme: A Lifeline for Women in UP
Launched in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has been a flagship program, providing clean cooking fuel to women across the state. Uttar Pradesh has been a leading state in implementing the scheme, with 1.86 crore beneficiaries currently enrolled.
- The government distributes free LPG cylinder refills twice a year—during Holi and Diwali.
- For the current financial year, a provision of Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated to cover the subsidies for beneficiaries.
How Beneficiaries Will Receive the Free Refills
- Beneficiaries can avail of the free refilled cylinders either on Holi or immediately after from their nearest authorized gas agency.
- The program ensures that women across urban and rural areas can cook safely without worrying about fuel costs.
- The initiative follows the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, ensuring equitable access for all eligible households.
Government Highlights and Welfare Achievements
During the event, CM Yogi Adityanath highlighted the government’s broader welfare efforts:
- Ayushman Bharat scheme provides up to Rs 5 lakh cashless medical treatment for the poor.
- Subsidized healthcare initiatives, including cervical cancer injections reduced from Rs 2,100 to Rs 300.
- Women empowerment programs, vocational training, and support for female entrepreneurs.
- Provision of safe toilets in every home and transparent ration distribution through e-POS machines.
- Assistance for widows, disabled women, and marginalized communities in accessing government benefits.
Deputy Chief Ministers Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya praised the scheme, noting that such initiatives help bridge the gap between rich and poor, ensure social justice, and strengthen women’s empowerment in the state.
Holi Gift Symbolizes Equality and Prosperity
CM Yogi Adityanath described Holi as a festival of equality, unity, and joy, saying that no one is big or small in the state’s vision of inclusive development. He emphasized that the double-engine government in UP has ensured that LPG cylinders now reach every household, unlike earlier systems where distribution was limited.
This year, beneficiaries will also feel the benefits of transparent governance, where LPG subsidies and other schemes are directly reaching women at the grassroots level.
Impact of the Initiative
The free LPG refill program is expected to:
- Provide financial relief to 1.86 crore women beneficiaries.
- Promote clean cooking and healthier homes.
- Strengthen women’s autonomy and self-reliance in rural and urban households.
- Enhance overall public welfare, demonstrating the government’s focus on equitable development and social justice.
By distributing free LPG refills on Holi, the Uttar Pradesh government is not only celebrating a festival of colors but also empowering women, ensuring energy access, and promoting welfare for marginalized communities. This initiative reinforces the state’s commitment to inclusive growth, transparency, and women-centric development programs.
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