The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a major festive relief for poor households this Diwali under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet has approved a decision to provide free LPG cylinder refills to nearly 1.85 crore women beneficiaries across the state.
The move, officially cleared in a cabinet meeting held on Friday, is aimed at reducing the financial burden on underprivileged families during the festive season. According to government officials, the scheme is not only about offering financial assistance but also about ensuring that households are able to celebrate Diwali with ease, without worrying about their kitchen fuel needs.
As per the announcement, eligible women beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana will receive one free LPG refill between October and December 2025, covering the Diwali period. Additionally, another free refill will be provided between January and March 2026, coinciding with the Holi festival.
For the financial year, the state government has allocated a budget of ₹1,385.34 crore to fund this initiative. This ensures that every registered beneficiary household can avail the benefit without interruption.
The scheme will specifically cover women who are already enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and whose names are listed in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) database. To claim the benefit, beneficiaries must have their Aadhaar authentication (KYC) updated.
The government has set December 31, 2025 as the last date for Aadhaar-based verification. Women who fail to complete this process before the deadline risk missing out on the free cylinder benefit. Officials have urged all eligible families to update their documents promptly to avoid delays.
The Yogi government highlighted that this decision will provide a major relief to poor households, especially women, who often struggle with rising fuel costs. By offering free LPG refills during major festivals, the initiative ensures that kitchens remain functional and families can celebrate without extra expenses.
In rural areas, where dependence on firewood or coal still exists, access to LPG is expected to encourage the use of clean fuel, reducing health risks associated with smoke and pollution. At the same time, in urban and semi-urban households, it will support families already struggling with high costs of living.
The Ujjwala Yojana, launched nationally in 2016, has been a flagship welfare program aimed at providing clean cooking fuel to low-income families. Over the years, it has improved women’s health, reduced indoor pollution, and contributed to women’s empowerment by saving time otherwise spent collecting traditional fuels.
The Uttar Pradesh government believes this festive gift will reinforce those objectives while also promoting social welfare. By easing the burden of kitchen expenses during Diwali and Holi, the scheme aims to keep families financially stable and socially included during major celebrations.
Government officials emphasized that the decision is not just a temporary relief but part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s welfare ecosystem. With millions of households benefiting, the scheme is expected to make a tangible difference in the daily lives of poor women, boosting both self-reliance and dignity.
The initiative is also expected to generate goodwill for the government, coming at a time when fuel prices remain a concern for households across India.
As Diwali approaches, the announcement is being welcomed as a timely and thoughtful gesture, ensuring that celebrations are not dimmed by rising costs.
