On Wednesday (15 October), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gifted free cylinder refills to women beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Scheme at the Lok Bhawan auditorium. On this occasion, he transferred the refill amount directly into the bank accounts of eligible women. Ten women were symbolically given this amount on stage. In total, the CM transferred a subsidy of ₹1,500 crore to the accounts of 1.86 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries.
Gas Connections Have Changed Women’s Lives
CM Yogi said that before 2014, poor women had to cook using wood and coal, which adversely affected their health and led to lifelong medical expenses. But after PM Narendra Modi came to power, poor households received free gas connections, improving the lives of women significantly.
Crackdown on Criminals, Ensuring Safety for Girls
The Chief Minister said that before 2017, power in Uttar Pradesh was concentrated in the hands of the Saifai family (referring to the Samajwadi Party leadership), but now the government considers the entire state its family. The SP government used to bow down before rioters, but our government has decided that if any girl is harassed, the accused will face “Yamraj” (lord of death) at the next intersection. Ensuring the safety of girls, traders, the poor, and Dalits is the government’s top priority. Anyone who tries to disrupt the peace will be sent to jail.
Appeal to Embrace Swadeshi Products During Diwali
CM Yogi Adityanath appealed to the public to embrace indigenous (Swadeshi) products during the upcoming Diwali festival. He urged people to buy lamps from local potters and purchase idols made by Indian artisans. He also encouraged everyone to help the underprivileged during the festive season.
Impact of the Ujjwala Scheme and Future Plans
It is noteworthy that the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in May 2016 with the aim of making rural kitchens smoke-free and improving the health of women and children. So far, 1.86 crore families in Uttar Pradesh have received Ujjwala connections. The state government has decided to provide two free refills every year to beneficiaries, which will be implemented in two phases during 2025-26 — the first phase from October to December 2025, and the second from January to March 2026. The government has allocated a budget of ₹1,500 crore for this initiative. In the first phase, only Aadhaar-verified beneficiaries will receive the benefit.
Yogi Government Leading in Women Empowerment
On this occasion, UP’s Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said that both Prime Minister Modi and CM Yogi are committed to simplifying the lives of ordinary citizens. He mentioned that 26.24 lakh beneficiaries have benefited from the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, and the state is facilitating weddings of poor girls under the Mass Wedding Scheme. The Yogi government has prioritised women’s welfare above all else. He concluded by saying: “Muddai Hargiz na kar payega banka baal tak, Modi-Yogi gunjega bharat me sau saal tak”
