Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

The government had last year launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to provide 5 crore poor women with free LPG connections in three years with a view to providing clean cooking fuel.

"Individual beneficiary desirous of availing the benefits under the scheme (PMUY) is hereby required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication," said a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Last date is May 31

Those below poverty line (BPL) women looking to avail free LPG connection but do not have the Aadhaar number, have been asked to apply for it by May 31. Once enrolled for Aadhaar, the beneficiary can apply for free LPG connection by providing the enrolment ID slip or a copy of such a request.

Documents needed

The application will have to be accompanied by one of the government identification documents like bank passbook with a photograph, election voter ID, ration card, permanent account number (PAN), passport, driving licence, Kisan photo passbook or a certificate of identity having a photo issued by a gazetted officer on an official letterhead. The ministry has asked state-owned fuel retailing firms to facilitate enrolment of beneficiaries for the biometric identification number, Aadhaar.

Aadhaar must for LPG subsidy

In October last year, the government had made Aadhaar mandatory for availing of cooking gas (LPG) subsidies. The government currently gives 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidised rates per household in a year. The subsidy on every cylinder is transferred in advance directly into bank accounts of individuals, who then buy the cooking fuel at market rates.

Aadhaar as identity proof

The ministry notification issued on March 6 stated that the use of Aadhaar as an identity document for delivery of services or benefits or subsidies simplifies the government delivery processes, brings in transparency and efficiency, and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements directly to them in a convenient and seamless manner.
"Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one's identity," the gazette release by Ministry of Petroleum and natural gas said, reports PTI.