The Truth About the Ujjwala scheme

With the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government is using a no holds barred approach to propagate its schemes as much as it can. The Ujjwala scheme, which was launched in 2016 and allocated a budget of over Rs. 12,000 crore, aims to provide free cooking gas connections to below poverty line (BPL) families. This scheme has been the Modi government’s one hope to bring them electoral dividends from the BPL category.

The scheme in reality is turning into an instrument of profit making for the gas companies. Speaking at a press conference by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) on March 5, Preeti, a factory worker from Delhi’s Bawana industrial area, said, “Getting the connection is an uphill task. I had to fill forms but there was absolutely no response. We cannot even afford the expensive refills which cost about Rs. 700- 800.”

The reality of the scheme on the ground does not seem to be predicting an ujjwal (bright) future for the BJP government. Interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal and many others from the BJP government have claimed that the gas connection is being provided for free to about 6 crore beneficiaries across the country. But the women being affected by the scheme are claiming that they have to pay Rs. 1600 immediately to avail the stove and the connection.

Also Read: Cooking Gas Prices Sky High, Usage Dropping

It should be noted that a nationwide survey done by AIDWA found that availing a connection proves to be an expensive task, with many beneficiaries being required to pay an approximate amount of Rs. 1200-3000.

Earlier, the BPL families were availing a subsidy ranging between Rs. 100-300 for a gas cylinder, which would ordinarily cost them approximately Rs. 1000 per month. With the current scheme, the subsidies which were initially provided by the state government are now being directly deposited in the account of the gas providers instead.

Maimoona Mollah, Delhi State President of AIDWA, said, “The Ujjwala scheme of the government is nothing more than an eyewash, while bearing the brunt of the publicity stunt of the government are the poorest of the poor women. In Karnataka, our women took out a rally with stoves on their heads to show just how bad the quality of the stoves is, they cannot even hold any heavy utensils.”

Farida from Bawana said, “The government is clearly cheating the poor. We conducted a survey in our area and across the country, and found out that only a handful of people are using the scheme, as most people cannot even afford refills or the connections in the first place.”

Pointing out the biasness in the scheme, she added, “It is also intrinsically connected to one’s religion. They have been saying that the scheme is for BPL families but in many cases, even if one is poor, the government is giving the benefits of the scheme to specific castes or religions. Many Muslim women have not been able to avail the benefits of the scheme.” While providing their testimonies, the women pointed out that the crucial question is of the refill of the cylinders. With the prices of commodities skyrocketing, many women largely working in the unorganised sector are not in a position to afford expensive refills which are likely to cost approximately Rs. 700-800, forcing the women to resort to cooking on chulhas (fire stoves).

Farida further said, “One can see hoardings and publicity of the scheme everywhere, however, women are at a loss because of the scheme. It turns out that the Ujjwala scheme is likely to cost more than the regular connection. As kerosene is no longer in use, women are going back to the use of Chulhas or buying kerosene in black. One needs to question the government about the money allocated and how is it being spent.”

Also Read: BJP Strategy for 2019: Building Castles of Sand

While talking about the scheme, it is important to take into account the funds being spent on the scheme. In reply to a question in the Parliament on February 4, 2019, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had confirmed that the beneficiaries themselves had paid about Rs. 9,968 crore for the scheme. He went on to add that under the scheme, the subsidy that is enjoyed by people is primarily given in the security deposit people pay.

Earlier, over 1.03 crore people had given up the LPG subsidies that they were availing. As a result, approximately an amount of Rs. 3690 crore had been saved, according to the data given out by Indane and Bharat Gaswhen.

If one adds this to the previous figure, it becomes clear that a total amount of Rs. 13,658 crore has been clearly borne by the people themselves and not the Modi government.

The women, who are being treated as convenient vote banks by the BJP government, with massive spectacles and publicity gimmicks are no longer falling for the false promises of the BJP and have promised to leave no stone unturned in exposing the claims of the government.