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The impact of PMUY in Jammu and Kashmir
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Context
The International Energy Agency reports that 681 million people in India still rely on solid fuels for cooking, creating significant health and environmental concerns. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides subsidized LPG connections to poor households, aims to reduce reliance on traditional fuels. A recent study in Jammu and Kashmir examines the impact of PMUY on LPG adoption, health benefits, and barriers to exclusive LPG use.
LPG Adoption & Usage Patterns
- High LPG Adoption in Rural Areas: In Jammu and Kashmir, 85.07% of rural households have LPG connections, with 68% of these connections provided under the PMUY scheme.
- Dual Cooking Systems: Despite the increased availability of LPG, 92% of households maintain traditional cooking methods, and 85% continue to use both LPG and solid fuels, highlighting the prevalence of fuel stacking.
- Moderate LPG Consumption: On average, households consumed 3.56 LPG cylinders in the last six months, with PMUY beneficiaries in Kulgam showing slightly higher LPG adoption compared to non-beneficiaries.
Health Benefits of LPG Adoption
- Improved Health Outcomes: Households that adopted LPG under PMUY showed a marked reduction in respiratory issues, such as coughing, chest infections, and headaches, particularly in BPL and AAY households.
- Impact of Modern Appliances: Households with additional appliances like rice cookers experienced better health outcomes, with reduced incidences of coughing and chest infections compared to those without these appliances.
- Educational Influence: Households where the main cook had secondary or higher education saw further improvements in health, with a significant drop in chest infections among BPL households.
Barriers to Exclusive LPG Usage
- Lack of Awareness: Nearly 47% of households were unaware of the health risks associated with solid fuel use, and 64% lacked access to television, which limits communication about the benefits of LPG.
- Financial Constraints: The cost of LPG refills remains a significant burden, leading to widespread fuel stacking as households use both LPG and solid fuels, despite the availability of LPG connections.
- Need for Targeted Support: Households with greater awareness of LPG’s health benefits and those using modern appliances, such as rice cookers, reported higher LPG usage, indicating the importance of financial and informational support.
Practice Question
Q. Analyze the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on improving health outcomes and promoting clean cooking fuel in rural India. What are the key barriers to exclusive LPG usage, and how can these challenges be addressed?
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