(ET)
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday asserted that households having access to clean cooking fuel has increased from 55 per cent four years ago to 87 per cent now due to central government’s determined efforts to provide universal access to clean cooking fuel to the poorest of the poor. Pradhan made these remarks while addressing the India Energy Forum in New Delhi on Monday. He highlighted the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) and termed it as a tool that empowered poor women.
He said, “Through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana our government is aiming to provide universal access to clean cooking fuel to the poorest of the poor in the country. Innovative delivery models, technology and policy of direct subsidy, have ensured we surpassed the target of 50 million households in three years, well ahead of scheduled time. We have also increased the target to reach 80 million households. Putting things in perspective households having access to clean cooking fuel increased from 55 per cent four years ago to 87 per cent today. PMUY not only enabled access to clean fuels, but it also empowered poor women by addressing their issues of ‘time poverty’ and encouraged them to invest in human capital.”
