The women of Ghanta village in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district faced health issues due to kitchen smoke until the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana intervened, providing them with clean fuel. Previously reliant on coal and wood for cooking, the village successfully transitioned to free gas connections and subsidized LPG cylinders through the Ujjwala Yojana.
Residents, including Meenaben Damor and Manishaben Sagiya, expressed gratitude for the scheme, highlighting the significant improvement in their lives. They mentioned the ease of cooking with gas cylinders compared to the challenges faced with traditional methods like fetching firewood and dealing with smoke.
The Ujjwala Yojana, initiated by PM Modi in 2016, aimed to enhance women and children’s health by promoting clean cooking fuel and eliminating smoky kitchens. Dr. Antik Kela, a physician in Banaskantha, noted a decline in respiratory ailments among women, attributing it to the elimination of traditional stoves through the Ujjwala Yojana.
Bhavya Ninama, District Supply Officer, shared that over 2 lakh active gas connections in the district have led to improved health and quality of life for residents. The PMUY has completed a decade, benefiting more than 10.5 crore women nationwide with free LPG connections, with over 44 lakh women in Gujarat alone benefiting from the scheme.
