3.8 crore poor women provided with free LPG connections, target raised to 8 crore.
The initiative was launched on January 05, 2015 with an objective to provide people with affordable energy efficient appliances across the country. More than 29.83 crore LED bulbs were distributed in just four years, saving Rs. 15,497 crores per year for the people. [...] The Union Cabinet launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana on May 01, 2016, which envisages of smoke free rural India. It aims to benefit five crore families especially women living below poverty line by providing free LPG connections by 2019. It will help reduce health disorders, air pollution and deforestation. The Cabinet has approved Rs. 8,000.00 crores for the next three years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh on May 01, 2016. So far 3.8 crore LPG connections were provided to BPL households. The target for the scheme has been raised to provide LPG connections to 8 crore women.