Lucknow: Amid growing concerns over LPG supply disruption triggered by the US-Iran conflict, UP govt has approved the release of over Rs 193 crore for providing free LPG cylinders to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).The approval, issued by the food and civil supplies department on March 25, will facilitate the second phase of free LPG refills to eligible beneficiaries in the 2025-26 fiscal.According to a govt order issued by the department, a total budget provision of Rs 1,500 crore was made under the scheme, out of which Rs 1,039.01 crore was sanctioned earlier. The newly approved Rs 193.21 crore will be used specifically for continuing the scheme in the current financial year.Uttar Pradesh has around 1.8 crore PMUY beneficiaries—the highest in the country. PMUY provides free LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line households.Though the oil industry has been maintaining that LPG availability in the state remains stable and adequate, govt appears to be taking a proactive approach to prevent distress among vulnerable sections.The allocation, experts said, marks state govt’s bid for continuation of an existing welfare scheme. The move is seen as less about emergency relief and more about sustaining politically significant subsidy programmes.Analysts said that the step carries a strong electoral resonance as cooking fuel is a daily necessity and has a direct bearing on household budgets, eventually connecting with the women.Officials said the funds will be released in advance and utilised strictly as per the rules. Govt has directed that the amount should not be parked in bank accounts and must be spent only as per requirement.Authorities have also been instructed to ensure that funds are used solely for the intended purpose and that there is no duplication with other schemes.Officials said priority will be given to beneficiaries whose data is Aadhaar-verified. Payments will be aligned with authenticated records from oil marketing companies.Officials said the step will help govt in checking leakages, duplication of beneficiaries, and end-of-year fund utilisation pressure. The Aadhaar verification step points at govt’s reliance on data-driven targeting, sources said.Govt has mandated that all expenditures be accounted for and adjusted before the end of the financial year. Any unspent funds from the previous year lying with oil companies will also be utilised.
