Knews Desk- The central government has reduced the number of subsidized LPG cylinders for the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Now under the Ujjwala scheme, eligible families will get the benefit of subsidy only on 4 LPG cylinders in a year. Earlier, subsidy was provided on larger number of cylinders.

This decision of the government will affect crores of Ujjwala beneficiaries across the country. Under the scheme, LPG connections were provided to poor and economically weaker families so that they could use clean fuel instead of conventional fuel. However, now the reduction in the subsidy limit may increase the additional burden on the household budget of these families.

According to government data, a large number of beneficiaries use more than four cylinders in a year. In such a situation, if they buy more cylinders than the prescribed limit, they will have to pay the market price. This has increased the concern of rural and low income group families. The government says that this step has been taken to make the subsidy system more effective and targeted. Through this, efforts will be made to provide benefits to those families who really need financial assistance. Experts believe that this decision will reduce government subsidy expenditure, but it may have a direct impact on poor families.

Ujjwala scheme was started in the year 2016. Its objective was to protect women from health problems caused by smoke and to promote clean fuel. Under the scheme, till now crores of families have been given free gas connections. After this new decision of the government, beneficiaries may have to manage their gas consumption and household expenses better. The social and economic impact of this decision can also be seen in the coming times.