There was a promise of 12 subsidized cylinders a year.

Topic: politicsRegion: asia pacificUpdated: i2 outletsSources: 5Spectrum: Center Only⏱ 4 min read

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Story Summary

SITUATION

The Congress party has criticized the Modi government for reducing the number of subsidized Ujjwala LPG refills from 12 to a lower amount, arguing that this decision undermines the initiative's goal of providing affordable cooking fuel to low-income households and exacerbates economic hardships for vulnerable communities.

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KEY FACTS

The decision exposed the gap between the government’s promises and its delivery on them, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on social media platform X.
The government had steadily diluted the benefits promised under the scheme, which was launched in 2016 with the stated objective of providing relief to women from the health hazards of traditional cooking fuels, Mr.
However, last year, that number was reduced from 12 to 9.
2026: Now, the number of subsidized cylinders has been further cut from 9 to just 4."

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The current political climate in India is heavily influenced by the ongoing debates surrounding the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a flagship scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in May 2016.

This initiative aimed to provide subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, promoting cleaner cooking fuel and reducing reliance on traditional biomass fuels.

Brief

On June 9, 2026, the Congress party publicly condemned the Modi government for its decision to reduce the number of subsidized LPG cylinder refills under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana from nine to just four.

This reduction has sparked significant criticism, particularly from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused the government of being 'intoxicated on power' and failing to uphold its promises to provide essential support to women.

The Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, was intended to alleviate the health hazards associated with traditional cooking fuels, and initially promised 12 subsidized cylinders per year. However, the government has progressively diluted these benefits, raising concerns about its commitment to welfare schemes aimed at empowering women.

Kharge's remarks highlight a growing discontent among opposition parties regarding the government's approach to social welfare, suggesting that the reduction in subsidies reflects a broader trend of neglecting the needs of vulnerable populations.

The Congress party's criticism underscores the political ramifications of this decision, as it may galvanize public sentiment against the Modi administration, particularly among those who rely on these subsidies for their daily cooking needs.

As the government faces scrutiny over its welfare policies, the implications of this decision could resonate in upcoming political discussions and electoral strategies.

Why it matters

The reduction in subsidized Ujjwala refills from 12 to just 4 cylinders per year significantly impacts women from Below Poverty Line households who rely on these subsidies for affordable cooking fuel.
This cut not only exacerbates their financial burden but also forces many to revert to less safe and more polluting traditional cooking methods, undermining the health benefits the scheme was designed to provide.
As a result, the government's failure to uphold its commitments may lead to increased public discontent and challenge its credibility ahead of upcoming elections.

What to watch next

The Congress party plans to hold a press conference within 48 hours to outline their stance on the Ujjwala scheme and the implications of the government's decision on subsidized refills.
The Modi government is expected to release a clarification on the Ujjwala subsidy policy within the next week, addressing public concerns and opposition criticism.
Key opposition leaders will meet to strategize their response to the reduction in subsidized cylinders before the upcoming parliamentary session next month.
Consumer advocacy groups are organizing a campaign to raise awareness about the impact of the subsidy cuts, launching it within the next two weeks.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is scheduled to review the Ujjwala scheme's effectiveness in a public forum before the end of the month, which could influence future policy decisions.

Sources

5 of 5 linked articles