The Maharashtra government, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, has decided to broaden the scope of the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana. Under this new development, beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will now be eligible to receive three free LPG refills annually in addition to their current monthly allowance of Rs 1,500.
This decision, announced by the Food and Civil Supply Department led by NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, is intended to provide substantial support to low-income families. The government resolution issued on Tuesday highlights that the initiative will greatly benefit impoverished households by alleviating some of their financial burdens related to cooking fuel.
According to the resolution, approximately 52.16 lakh beneficiaries of the Central government's Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, along with eligible families of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, will receive three free refills of gas cylinders each year.
The aim is to enhance the reach of the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, which primarily targets those already benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which subsidises the cost of gas cylinders.
The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana seeks to cover the total cost of the gas cylinders, which is Rs 830 each. This is a significant step beyond the Rs 300 subsidy provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, as the state government will bear the full expense for beneficiaries not covered by the central scheme.
The eligibility criteria for the new scheme stipulate that the gas connection must be registered in the name of a woman. Currently, around 52.16 lakh individuals who qualify under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Maharashtra will benefit from this expansion.
Additionally, families whose members are enrolled in the Ladki Bahin Yojana will also be entitled to three free gas refills annually. However, the scheme will only allow one beneficiary per family, according to the ration card, and the benefit is limited to those who already have a gas connection.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, aimed to provide clean cooking fuel to women in impoverished families, thus improving their health and reducing the exposure to smoke. The scheme's success is evident in Maharashtra, where efforts to provide gas connections continue in collaboration with oil companies.
A representative from the Food and Civil Supply Department pointed out that some beneficiaries with gas connections not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana face difficulties recharging their connections at market rates. This situation often forces households to rely on wood for cooking once their gas cylinders are empty, contributing to environmental damage.
By introducing this expanded support through the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, the Maharashtra government aims to address these issues and provide a more comprehensive solution to the problem of cooking fuel accessibility for its citizens.
Follow us
