A fortnight after slashing cooking gas rates by ₹200 per cylinder for 330 million customers ahead of crucial elections, the government on Wednesday launched the third phase of its popular Ujjwala scheme to provide free gas connections along with a stove and a refill to 7.5 million poor households for three years. This phase takes the total coverage under the scheme to 103.5 million households.
Briefing the media about decisions taken by the Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur said the government has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) to provide 7.5 million free liquefied petroleum gas (cooking gas) connections up to March 31, 2026.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive a deposit-free gas connection, including one stove and the first 14.2kg cylinder free of cost, he said.
