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Narendra Modi

Safe Cooking, Better Health: The Ujjwala Yojana and Its Role in Women’s Well Being

by Guest Author 08/12/2024

written by Guest Author

By Greetha Singh

In developing countries like India clean and safe cooking especially in the rural parts of the country is a top priority of the government.

Unsafe cooking directly impacts women’s health which is 50% of the population. In past Government of India (GoI) has launched many initiatives to provide clean cooking fuel like LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders to rural and underprivileged households across the country.

In this article, you will learn about one just initiative launched by GoI targeting women and their health.

WHO on Household Air Pollution

But before you learn about the scheme you need to know what WHO (World Health Organization) has to say about the impact of Household Air Pollution emanating from unclean cooking fuel like Coal, Wood etc on women’s health.

Here are some facts

Around 300 million people in India cook using unclean fuel like coal, wood, animal dung, crop waste etc
Around 4 million people die prematurely every year due to illness attributed to household air pollution
Particulate Matter (PM) found in the household air pollution is the main cause of half of the deaths.
27% deaths due to Pneumonia, 18% due to stroke, 27% due to heart diseases, 8% due to lung cancer

What is Ujjwala Yojana?

Due to aforementioned facts, Government of India launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or PMUY scheme with tagline “Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan” on 1 May 2016 flagged by Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi.

This flagship scheme was aimed to provide clean cooking fuel (LPG) to 50 million women from rural and underprivileged households by 2019 promoting a clean smoke-free cooking environment.

Ujjwala Scheme will promote the use of LPG in rural households addressing serious issues like health, air pollution and deforestation.

This scheme was implemented by Petroleum and Natural Gas implements the Ujjwala Scheme.

Ujjwala Yojana 2.0

Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 is just an extension of Original Ujjawala Scheme, which was also launched in 2016. The aim was to provide LPG connections to even more households.

Original scheme was aimed to reach 50 million families living below poverty line, later with Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 target was increased to 80 million women by March 2020. However this target was achieved seven months ahead, by September 2019.

Objective of Ujjwala Yojana Scheme

As it is very clear from the outset of this article, objective of PMUY scheme is to provide clean cooking fuel specifically LPG gas cylinders.

By doing this, Ujjwala scheme almost eliminates any health hazards associated with traditional unclean cooking fuels like coal, wood etc, particularly among women and children.

Improvement in Health – Eliminates all kinds of serious pulmonary diseases like pneumonia, lung cancer, Tuberculosis etc caused by indoor air pollution.
Environmental Sustainability – Use of cleaner fuel like LPG reduces dependency on wood hence mitigates deforestation and also curbs carbon emissions.
Women Empowerment – But the most important objective of the scheme is to give dignity to women by improving their health and living standard.

Implementation of the Ujjwala Yojana Scheme

PMUY scheme was implemented through LPG distributors across India, targeting specifically below-poverty-line (BPL) households. The whole implementation involved awareness campaigns, registration, and issuance of LPG connections and provision of subsidized cylinders.

A Woman from BPL family can apply for the new LPG connection
Application form should include KYC details like Aadhar, ration card etc.
LPG Field officials will match the application data against the SECC-2011 database and issue the connection
Government will bear connection charges, OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies) will provide an option to opt for EMIs to cover the cost of cooking stove and first refill.
OMCs will organize fairs at various locations for release of connection to the families.

Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme

Following are the eligibility criteria for the Scheme

Applicant must be a woman of age above 18. She must also be a citizen of India.
She should come from Below Poverty Line economic background. Monthly income of her family should not exceed certain limit prescribed by the State government.
No one from her household should have another LPG connection.
Applicant’s name must be in the SECC-2011 List.
Applicant should not be registered under any other similar scheme offered by the government.

Main Beneficiary of Ujjwala Yojana Scheme

Following are the categories who are beneficiary of PMUY scheme.

A woman belonging to the BPL family.
Poor household as per 14 point declaration
Tea and Ex Tea Garden Tribes
SC/ST Households
People residing in Islands and River Islands
Forest Dwellers
Most Backward Classes

Benefits of Ujjwala Yojana for Women

PMUY scheme has multifaceted advantages. Most obvious benefit is improving women’s health by reducing indoor pollution.

Other major benefits of PMUY are

LPG Connection under PMUY scheme shall be in the name of a woman, providing subsidy in woman’s account.
PMUY scheme has empowered rural women and protected them and their families from many acute respiratory ailments.
Women who had to go out for collecting woods were frequently subjected to sexual harassment but after receiving LPG connections they don’t have to go out.
Stopping wood as a cooking fuel had a positive impact on forest cover and environment in general due to improved air quality.
PMUY has generated so many jobs for rural youth in cooking gas supply chain and also employment opportunities in logistics and maintenance.
LPG Cylinders saves a lot of time, which allows women to look out for other employment opportunities.

Challenges Faced by Ujjwala Yojana Scheme

Despite its huge success PMUY has encountered certain challenges.

Identifying Eligible Households – Due to lack of accurate data identifying deserving household was a major challenge.
Misuse of SECC Data – Unfortunately the scheme was misused as few affluent households were listed as BPL Households.
Awareness – Beneficiaries require more awareness about safely cooking on LPG, specially poor and illiterate background.
Strict Documentations – Because of strict KYC many deserving households were not included in the scheme.
Reach – Limited reach of LPG Distribution network posted serious challenges especially in disturbed areas.

This is all you need to know about the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana or PMUY Scheme launched by government of India specifically for women from below-poverty-level economic background.

How to Register and Apply for Ujjwala Yojana

Women can apply for the PMUY Online as well as offline. Applying online is easy and time saving. Follow the steps for applying online.

Step 1: Women can Apply Online by going here at https://pmuy.gov.in/ujjwala2.html

Step 2: After clicking on “Click Here”, an Online Application will appear.

Step 3: Choose anyone Company from the list and Click on “Click here to apply”

Step 4: In the Next Form enter your mobile number and OTP

Step 5: Select whether you are a migrant family

Step 6: Fill all the details, family, personal, address, bank details etc.

Step 7: Choose the cylinder type and whether you live in rural or urban area

Step 8: Select the declaration and submit the form

Step 9: Generate a reference number and visit nearest gas agency

Step 10: Your online process is complete

08/12/2024 0 comments 31 views

“Our Fate is Unknown”- Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Hunger Strike in Delhi Police Custody

by Parika Singh 08/12/2024

written by Parika Singh

By Parika Singh

Renowned environmentalist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger fast at the Bawana police station when he was detained at the Singhu border last night along with 150 people from Ladakh.

Wangchuk undertook the Delhi Chalo Padyatra from Leh on September 2 last month along with several Ladakhi men, women, and senior citizens who traversed dangerous terrains and harsh weather conditions to culminate this 1000 km journey at Rajghat on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti. However, in the late hours of September 30, 2024 Delhi police detained him and all the people marching peacefully with him to prevent them from exercising their democratic rights.

https://x.com/Wangchuk66/status/1838990420908327291

Prior to their arrest, Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nyay Suraksha Samhita (BNSS) was imposed in North and Central Delhi until October 5 which applies to urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. Such a section imposed on citizens of India walking within their country non-violently raises questions on the value accorded to constitutional rights by the Central Administration.

Interestingly, the order dated 30.09.2024 was issued on account of “inputs received that multiple organizations have given calls for holding and organizing various events in the nature of protests/ demonstrations/ campaigns in the territory of Delhi, in the first week of October 2024”. It was evident that the prevention of assembly of five or more persons, prevention of dharnas, and prohibition of banners or placards along with weaponry, was entirely in place to curb the exercise of fundamental rights in the city.

Unfortunately, this was directly in contrast to the faith demonstrated in the system by the marchers from Ladakh throughout the month.

In an exclusive interview with The Womb, Mr Wangchuk had expressed immense expectation when asked about his reception in Delhi. He had hoped that a sensitive government, conscious of its citizens’ needs would respond favourably to their genuine and peaceful requests. He had felt India had showcased the path of non-violent protests to the rest of the world through the leadership and resistance of Mahatma Gandhi and had pertinently chosen his birth anniversary as symbolic of Ladakh’s struggles and fight for statehood.

Additionally, the Padyatra aimed to highlight the critical environmental and employment issues faced by the residents of the two districts of Leh and Kargil. To alleviate those issues, they attempted to demand inclusion in the 6^th Schedule of the Constitution, two representatives in the Lok Sabha, and recruitment in the Public Service Commissions (PSCs) through this march.

But his optimism quickly turned to disheartenment and fear when he posted about his imminent arrest on X, after he found himself surrounded by several policemen at the Delhi-Haryana border. “I AM BEING DETAINED… along with 150 padyatris at Delhi Border, by a police force of 100s some say 1,000. Many elderly men & women in their 80s and few dozen Army veterans… Our fate is unknown. We were on a most peaceful march to Bapu’s Samadhi… in the largest democracy in the world, the mother of democracy… Hai Ram!”

https://x.com/Wangchuk66/status/1840798055911563284

The large group was taken to multiple police stations such as Bawana, Narela, Alipur, etc, where they have been kept ever since. No one has been permitted to speak to them including their lawyers and surprisingly, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena was also prevented from meeting Wangchuk earlier today. As reported in the Deccan Herald, Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa claimed women marchers were also detained overnight with men, although the Delhi police have refuted this claim.

Their release and right to protest have also been pled in the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi through a PIL filed on October 1. The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing but a division bench of the Delhi High Court has kept it for hearing on October 3.

Notably, the group from Ladakh had officially requested permission to peacefully protest from Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah at Jantar Mantar on October 3. Instead of accepting their sincere request to discuss the situation in Ladakh, Section 163 of BNSS was imposed in the region to dissuade them and anyone along with them who wished to follow in the footsteps of the Father of our Nation from expressing their concerns during the week bracketing October 2.

https://x.com/skphotography68/status/1841034419932484006

As news of their detention spread, protests erupted in Ladakh against the treatment meted out to their padyatris in the capital of their country.

While the central government chooses to disregard the plight of the Union Territory of Ladakh and the people walking to Delhi to communicate it, this incident also highlights a larger issue of the complete inability of ordinary citizens to bridge this autocratic gap and reach their democratically elected government. Shayad ab Dilli bahut dur hai (Perhaps Delhi is too far now).

08/12/2024 0 comments 24 views

नई संसद : परंतु क्या महिलाओं के लिए भी कुछ बदलेगा?

by Rajesh Singh 08/12/2024

written by Rajesh Singh

By राजेश ओ.पी. सिंह ( इंडिपेंडेट स्कॉलर)

बीते रविवार को हमारे प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने विवादों को दरकिनार करते हुए नया संसद भवन देश को समर्पित कर दिया और इतिहास में अपना नाम दर्ज करवा दिया। नया संसद भवन बनाने के पीछे सबसे बड़ा कारण ये बताया गया है कि वर्ष 2026 में देशभर में सीटों का परिसीमन होना है और निश्चित तौर पर सांसदों की संख्या बढ़ेगी जो लोकसभा और राज्यसभा की कुल मौजूदा संख्या 788 से बढ़ाकर 1200 से ज्यादा होने की संभावना है, परंतु फिलहाल संसद के दोनो सदनों में लगभग 800 के आसपास ही सीटें है। इसलिए समय रहते ही यदि नए सांसदों के बैठने की जगह का प्रबंध न किया जाता तो ये विश्व की तेजी से बढ़ती अर्थव्यवस्था वाले देश भारत के लिए विश्व पटल पर अच्छा संदेश नहीं माना जाता। ये हमारे प्रधानमंत्री की दूरदर्शिता का ही परिणाम है कि भविष्य की जरूरत को ध्यान में रखते हुए दोनो सदनों में कुल 1272 सीटों के साथ नए भव्य संसद भवन का निर्माण रिकॉर्ड समय में कर दिखाया।

परंतु महत्वपूर्ण बात ये है कि 10 दिसंबर, 2020 को जिस दिन हमारे प्रधानमंत्री द्वारा इस नए संसद भवन की आधारशिला रखी गई, उसी दिन से इस पर विवाद शुरू हो गए कि कोरोना वायरस की तबाही से पनपे आर्थिक संकट के समय में जब देश में आम जन के सामने खाने का संकट है, ऐसे समय ने नए संसद भवन का निर्माण करना समझदारी भरा कदम नहीं है और अभी नए संसद की जरूरत भी नहीं है I इसे केवल पैसों की बर्बादी कहा गया I कभी पर्यावरण संबधी प्रश्न उठाए गए तो कभी एक प्लॉट के लैंड यूज में बदलाव को चुनौती देते हुए सुप्रीम कोर्ट में याचिका दायर की गई और इसके साथ अनेक प्रश्नों पर बहस हुई परंतु एक जो सबसे महत्वपूर्ण प्रश्न था, वो पीछे छूट गया या छोड़ दिया गया, अर्थात उस पर किसी ने चर्चा नहीं की I

प्रश्न था महिलाओं का, कि नए संसद भवन में जो नई सीटें बढ़ेंगी क्या उनमें आधी आबादी का हिस्सा होगा?

क्या ये केवल पुरुषों के द्वारा पुरुषों के लिए बनाई गई नई संसद होगी? या फिर जब 2026 में देश भर में सीटों का परिसीमन किया जाएगा तब तक महिला आरक्षण बिल भी पास कर दिया जाएगा, जिसमें लोकसभा और विधानसभाओं की कुल सीटों में से 33 फीसदी सीटें महिलाओं के लिए आरक्षित करने का प्रावधान है।

यदि इतिहास पर नजर दौड़ाएं तो उसके आधार पर कहा जा सकता है कि महिला आरक्षण बिल दूर की कौड़ी नजर आता है।

बात शुरू होती है 1993 में 73 वें और 74 वें संवैधानिक संशोधनों से जिनमें स्थानीय सरकारों (ग्रामीण और शहरी) में 33 फीसदी पद महिलाओं के लिए सुरक्षित रखने का प्रावधान किया गया। तभी लोकसभा और राज्यों की विधानसभाओं में भी महिलाओं के लिए 33 फीसदी स्थान सुरक्षित रखने की मांग जोर पकड़ने लगी थी।

एचडी देवगौड़ा के प्रधानमंत्री रहते वर्ष 1996 में पहली बार भारतीय संसद के पटल पर महिला आरक्षण बिल को रखा गया और इसे संयुक्त संसदीय समिति के पास भी भेजा गया पंरतु लोकसभा भंग होने की वजह से ये आगे नहीं बढ़ पाया I

इसके बाद 1998 में दूसरी बार इस बिल को संसद में लाया गया परंतु पास नही हो सका।

अटल बिहारी वाजपेई के नेतृत्व में एनडीए सरकार ने 13 वीं लोकसभा के दौरान 1999 और 2002 में दो बार महिला आरक्षण बिल को संसद पटल पर रखा पंरतु दोनों बार पास नही हो सका।

2004 में यूपीए सरकार ने महिला आरक्षण बिल को अपने कॉमन मिनिमम प्रोग्राम में शामिल किया और वर्ष 2008 में 108वें संवैधानिक संशोधन के तहत महिला आरक्षण बिल को संसद में रखा और एक लंबे वाद विवाद के बाद वर्ष 2010 में संसद के उच्च सदन (राज्यसभा) से इसे मंजूरी मिल गई अर्थात पास हो गया परंतु उसके बाद से आज तक कभी लोकसभा में इस पर कोई बात नहीं हो सकी है।

अभी हाल ही में बीते मार्च महीने में भारतीय राष्ट्र समिति से सांसद कविता ने महिला आरक्षण बिल को लेकर जंतर मंतर पर भूख हड़ताल की थी जिसका कोई खास असर दिखाई नहीं दिया।

पंरतु एक बात यहां ध्यान देने योग्य है कि यदि इच्छा शक्ति मजबूत है तो बिना आरक्षण बिल के भी महिलाओं को प्रतिनिधित्व दिया जा सकता है जैसे भारत के दो राज्यों पश्चिमी बंगाल में तृणमूल कांग्रेस और ओडिसा में बीजू जनता दल अपने कुल उम्मीदवारों में से 33 फीसदी उम्मीदवार महिलाओं को बनाती है। इन्हीं की तरह दूसरे दल भी ये कार्य कर सकते हैं पंरतु दृढ़ इच्छा शक्ति के अभाव में कोई भी दल ये नही कर रहा है। और उसी का नतीजा है कि संसद और विधानसभाओं में महिलाओं का प्रतिनिधित्व केवल 10 फीसदी के आसपास है।

अब असल प्रश्न है कि आखिर कब गूंजेगी आम महिला की आवाज संसद के गलियारों में I हमें इस प्रश्न का जवाब ढूंढना होगा।

ये तो था महिला आरक्षण बिल का इतिहास परंतु क्या हमारे प्रधानमंत्री से उम्मीद की जा सकती है कि जैसे उन्होंने अपने कार्यकाल में अनेकों ऐतिहासिक कार्यों को अमली जामा पहनाया है, वैसे ही सभी बहसों और प्रश्नों को दरकिनार कर महिला आरक्षण बिल को भी पास करवा कर आधी आबादी के पक्ष में एक नया इतिहास लिखेंगे। यदि वो ऐसा कर पाते हैं तो निश्चित रूप से आधी आबादी के लिए ये एक वरदान से कम नहीं होगा।

08/12/2024 0 comments 30 views

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