Assessment of a clean cooking fuel distribution scheme in rural households of India – “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)”

This study assessed the health benefits and change in the quality of life of beneficiaries of the flagship scheme of the government of India for clean cooking fuel, known as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). A large-scale survey consisting of 69 questions was carried out in six states of India. Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations were also monitored using low-cost sensor devices. Of 2366 surveyed households, >40 % of the LPG users have reported significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the general health of the primary cooking person. Around 55 % of the surveyed LPG users have reported fewer episodes of respiratory illnesses in themselves and their family members post-LPG (PMUY) connections. The respondents from Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show a strong signal for improvement in their overall health using LPG. The study also quantified the challenges encountered in continuing LPG refilling. Over 38 % of the LPG users had refilled their cylinders only 0–2 times in the preceding six months. Around 47 % of LPG users have reported refilling cost as a limiting factor for cylinder refilling. The high PMUY connection villages' indoor environments have 10 to 20 % less average concentration of PM_2.5 than the low connection villages. The study findings will help the government better implement and assess the expected PMUY paybacks regarding beneficiaries' health and quality of life.