The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 3, during a programme organised for the distribution of LPG refill subsidies to beneficiaries under the central government’s Ujjwala scheme. The state government has allocated ₹1,500 crore for providing financial assistance towards LPG cylinder refills for eligible families.
The initiative aims to make cooking fuel more affordable for economically weaker households, particularly during two of India’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Two Free LPG Refills During Diwali and Holi
Addressing the programme, Adityanath said the Uttar Pradesh government had decided to provide one LPG cylinder free of cost to eligible Ujjwala beneficiaries on Diwali and another on Holi.
Under this arrangement, qualifying families will receive the benefit twice every year, helping them manage household expenses during major festive occasions.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the financial assistance would allow families to use the money otherwise spent on cooking fuel for other festival-related requirements.
He said the savings could be used to purchase traditional Diwali items such as sweets and lamps, emphasising the government’s intention to reduce the financial burden on poor households during celebrations.
The announcement is particularly significant for families that depend on LPG cylinders for their daily cooking requirements but often find it difficult to afford regular refills because of limited household incomes.
₹1,500 Crore Allocated for LPG Subsidies
The Uttar Pradesh government has earmarked ₹1,500 crore for distributing LPG refill subsidies to eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.
According to the Chief Minister, the initiative will cover more than 1.89 crore beneficiaries across the state.
Explaining the financial structure of domestic LPG supplies, Adityanath said a domestic cylinder costs ₹983.45. Of this amount, the central government provides a subsidy of ₹335, leaving consumers with an expenditure of ₹648.55.
The additional assistance announced by the state government is intended to reduce this financial burden for eligible families during Diwali and Holi.
The allocation reflects the state government’s focus on providing targeted financial support to households that depend on government welfare programmes.
Government Highlights Benefits of the Ujjwala Scheme
During his address, Adityanath also spoke about the expansion of LPG access among economically weaker sections of society.
He compared the availability of cooking gas connections under the present government with the difficulties people allegedly experienced during earlier Congress-led governments.
According to the Chief Minister, obtaining an LPG connection was previously a challenging process for many poor families. He said the government had worked to extend free LPG connections to economically disadvantaged households through welfare initiatives.
He described the expansion of cooking gas access as an example of good governance and highlighted the importance of ensuring that government welfare schemes reach their intended beneficiaries.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was introduced to provide LPG connections to women from economically disadvantaged households and encourage a shift away from traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, coal and other solid fuels.
Access to LPG is considered important for improving household cooking conditions and reducing exposure to smoke produced by traditional cooking methods.
Relief for Families During Major Festivals
The decision to provide free LPG refills during Diwali and Holi comes at a time when household expenses remain an important concern for lower-income families.
Festival celebrations often bring additional financial responsibilities, including purchasing food, sweets, clothing and other essential items. For families with limited financial resources, managing regular household expenses alongside festival spending can be challenging.
By offering two free refills annually, the Uttar Pradesh government intends to provide additional financial support during these occasions.
The initiative could also encourage eligible households to continue using LPG for cooking rather than returning to traditional fuels because of the cost of refilling cylinders.
However, the actual benefit received by individual households will depend on their eligibility under the Ujjwala scheme and the implementation of the subsidy distribution process.
Yogi Adityanath Also Highlights Ayodhya Deepotsav
Apart from the LPG subsidy announcement, the Chief Minister also spoke about the upcoming Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, scheduled for November 7.
Adityanath described the annual festival as a symbol of social unity, cultural heritage and collective participation. He said the celebration brings together people from different sections of society through shared traditions and religious faith.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Ayodhya to review preparations for the event.
In a social media post, he highlighted how Deepotsav had developed into a major cultural celebration since its introduction by the Uttar Pradesh government in 2017.
He also criticised the use of caste divisions in politics, arguing that shared cultural traditions and religious celebrations could help strengthen social harmony.
According to Adityanath, the lighting of lamps represents a message of unity, with people from different backgrounds participating in a common celebration.
Focus on Welfare and Festival-Season Assistance
The announcement of free LPG refills is part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s broader approach to providing financial assistance to economically weaker households through welfare programmes.
With approximately 1.89 crore beneficiaries expected to receive support, the initiative represents a significant allocation of public funds towards household cooking fuel expenses.
The provision of one free cylinder each during Diwali and Holi is intended to make essential cooking fuel more accessible while offering families additional financial flexibility during important festivals.
The announcement also brings renewed attention to the role of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in expanding access to cleaner cooking fuel and supporting low-income households.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on the timely distribution of subsidies and the ability of eligible beneficiaries to access the promised benefits.