Question : CRISIL Survey on PMUY

(a) the total percentage increase in LPG connections in India since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme;
(b) the total percentage increase in the use of gas cylinders since the launch of the aforesaid scheme;
(c) whether the Government had commissioned a study by Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited (CRISIL) to understand how poor households could be induced to use LPG as kitchen fuel and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched before the submission of CRISIL Report;
(e) whether the CRISIL Report discloses the fact that many people refuse to shift to LPG connections due to the high cost involved in refills; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) & (b) Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by the Government on 01.05.2016. On account of implementation of PMUY, the LPG coverage has increased to 94.2 % as on 01.06.2019, 61.9 % as on 01.04.2016.
(c) to (f) Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) had engaged M/s CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Solutions Limited (CRISIL) for preparing a master plan and end to end solution for LPG taking into account the entire supply chain logistics of LPG network to increase and scale up the coverage of LPG. CRISIL submitted the draft report in March 2016 to PPAC, before the
launch of the PMUY Scheme i.e. 01.05.2016. The report identified issues that require stakeholders’ coordinated efforts, such as :-
(i) Last mile connectivity is a key barrier despite initiatives taken by the Government and OMCs. As a result, availability of LPG, especially in the rural pockets, is lacking.
(ii) Affordability is a concern for Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, as they deem the security deposit and recurring refilling charges to be high.
(iii) Awareness related to the utility and advantages of LPG over currently used fuels.
The Government through implementation of PMUY, expansion of distributorship network, the PAHAL scheme and the PM LPG Panchayats to spread awareness and education about safe & sustained usage of LPG has taken steps to address the above concerns