The distribution of free cooking gas cylinders from April-June was highlighted as a feather in the cap by the government, in the midst of the pandemic.
However, data available with the government shows that only 49.6 per cent of the targeted free cylinders were distributed during the period.
Given that the target was to reach 80.34 million families under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) — within three months starting April 1 — the government should have distributed at least 241.02 million cylinders by the end of June.
The government, however, distributed only 119.7 million liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. Though the government expected an outgo of Rs 13,500 crore with respect to the scheme, only Rs 9,710 crore was transferred directly into the bank accounts of Ujjwala beneficiaries, as of June 30.
