Overview
The Congress on June 9, 2026 accused the Narendra Modi government of cutting the number of subsidised refills under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from twelve to four per year.
Key Developments
- Initial promise in 2016: twelve subsidised LPG cylinder refills per beneficiary per year.
- 2025 revision: number reduced to nine subsidised refills.
- 2026 revision: number further cut to four subsidised refills; beneficiaries must pay full price after the fourth refill.
- Official data cited by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says 5.56 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries cannot afford refills and may revert to traditional stoves.
- Delhi’s 14.2‑kg domestic LPG cylinder rose from ₹913 to ₹942.
Important Facts
Under the new rule, beneficiaries receive a flat subsidy of ₹300 per refill, making the effective price ₹642 for the first four refills. Earlier, the subsidy applied to nine refills.
The government argues that domestic LPG prices in India remain among the world’s lowest despite a sharp rise in global fuel costs after the West Asia conflict. It also claims the cost of supplying a cylinder has risen to over ₹1,600.
Congress linked this move to earlier weakening of employment guarantees under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, suggesting a pattern of eroding welfare support.
UPSC Relevance
- Understanding welfare schemes like PMUY helps answer questions on social security and energy policy (GS3).
- Changes in subsidy levels illustrate the impact of fiscal policy on vulnerable sections (GS3).
- The debate reflects the political dynamics between the ruling party and opposition, relevant for Polity and Governance (GS2).
- Linkage with MGNREGA highlights the importance of rural employment programmes and their political utilisation (GS3, GS4).
Way Forward
For UPSC aspirants, track official notifications on PMUY and related subsidy revisions. Compare the Indian LPG subsidy model with other countries to assess policy effectiveness. Analyse how opposition criticism may shape future amendments to welfare schemes.