UP to provide free LPG cylinders to Ujjwala beneficiaries on Diwali, Holi: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that eligible families covered under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) will receive one free LPG cylinder each on Diwali and Holi, as the state government rolled out refill subsidies for more than 1.89 crore beneficiaries.

The state government has earmarked Rs 1,500 crore for providing subsidies on LPG cylinder refills to eligible households under the scheme.

Addressing a programme organised for the distribution of the subsidies, Adityanath explained the cost of a domestic LPG cylinder and the financial assistance provided by the Centre.

“The price of one domestic gas cylinder is Rs 983.45, and out of this, the Government of India provides a subsidy of Rs 335. You have to spend Rs 648.55 from your own pocket,” he said.

The chief minister said the state government had decided to provide an additional free cylinder to poor families enrolled under the Ujjwala scheme on the occasions of Diwali and Holi.

“With the money you save, you can buy Diwali sweets and lamps,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with the previous Congress-led government, Adityanath said people had faced considerable difficulties in obtaining LPG connections at the time. He said the present government had provided free gas connections to poor households, describing the initiative as an example of good governance.

“During the Congress government, one had to face numerous hardships to get a single gas connection. We have provided free gas connections to poor families, and this is good governance,” he said.

Yogi calls Ayodhya Deepotsav a symbol of social unity

Separately, Adityanath described Ayodhya's Deepotsav, scheduled for November 7, as a celebration of social unity that brings together people from different sections of society through shared faith and cultural participation.

The chief minister is scheduled to visit Ayodhya to review preparations for the event.

In a post on X, Adityanath said caste divisions had historically been used as a basis for political mobilisation, while Deepotsav had emerged as an occasion that united people across social groups.

He said the state government introduced the celebration in 2017 to transform Ayodhya's cultural heritage into a festival involving people from all walks of life.

“Lamps burn in different hands, but their light unites the entire society. This is the message of Deepotsav,” he said.

Adityanath further said that caste rigidity divided society, whereas shared faith and cultural traditions brought people together.

“Caste rigidity divides society, while shared faith and culture weave it into a single thread. Shri Ayodhya ji's Deepotsav is a vibrant example of this social unity. Before the year 2017, governments that made caste division the basis of politics completely ignored this cultural force that unites society. The double-engine government changed this mindset by starting Deepotsav in 2017 and transformed the cultural heritage of Ram Nagari into a festival for all people,” he added.