New Delhi: The Centre has defended its decision to reduce the number of subsidised LPG refills under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from nine to four a year, informing the Parliament that most beneficiaries consume fewer than five cylinders annually and that the scheme continues to support sustained use of clean cooking fuel.
In a written response Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Thursday that the PMUY has around 10.58 crore beneficiaries across the country as of 1 July 2026, and “all PMUY connections released under the scheme continue to remain active beneficiaries”.The government also defended its recent rationalisation of LPG refills amid criticism over rising cooking gas prices.
“The per Consumer Consumption (PCC) among PMUY beneficiaries is 4.71 cylinders per year in FY 2025-26,” the minister stated in the reply. “In view of the refill average during FY 2025-26, provision of targeted subsidy support for up to four refills annually has been assessed as appropriate for continuing affordability support… while enhancing targeting efficiency and ensuring prudent rationalisation of subsidy expenditure.”The reply added that reduction applies only to the number of subsidised refills and “does not impose any restriction on the purchase of additional LPG refills at market prices.”The government also argued that despite a sharp increase in international LPG prices due to the West Asia conflict, consumers continue to receive substantial support.Infographics: Manya Aggarwal/ThePrint
