Durgapur (West Bengal) [India], July 19 (ANI): Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that over 10.33 crore women have been provided with free connections of Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

He stated that there were 14 crore LPG connections in 2014, and the number of connections has increased to 33 crore as of 2025.

'LPG Connection: Year 2014 - 14 crore and Year 2025 - 33 crore,' Puri said while addressing the gathering here, adding, 'Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, the past 11 years have brought an LPG revolution that has ushered in a new wave of change in every sector.'

The Union Minister stated that the cost of a cylinder in India was merely Rs 553, which was lower compared to other LPG-producing countries, such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

'As part of this, under the PM Ujjwala scheme, more than 10.33 crore women have been provided free connections. Even today, they get a cylinder for just Rs 553, which is lower than in other LPG-producing countries,' Puri said.

'In contrast, the same cylinder costs Rs 1,204 in neighbouring Sri Lanka, Rs 1,201 in Nepal, and Rs 1,000 in Pakistan,' he added.

Puri said that the number of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana exceeds 1.25 crore.

'This revolution has not only improved women's health but has also become a significant means of job creation. Clean fuel is now present in almost every kitchen in every country,' he added.

In a veiled attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, Puri on Friday reiterated that petrol and diesel prices in non-BJP states are ruling above that of BJP-run states.

Speaking in Durgapur, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside on the dais, Minister Puri said petrol and diesel prices are Rs 7-8 per litre lower in BJP-ruled states.

'Our government under PM Modi did not allow fuel prices to rise. In November 2021, May 2022, and March 2024, the central government reduced cess on petrol and diesel, cumulatively by Rs 13 and Rs 16,' the minister said.

'On top of that, our BJP-ruled states also reduced VAT on fuel. In BJP states, petrol and diesel prices are ruling Rs 7-8 per litre lower than non-BJP states,' Minister Puri added.

In a major boost to Oil and Gas infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) City Gas Distribution (CGD) project in Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, worth around Rs 1,950 crore. It will provide PNG connections to households, commercial establishments and industrial customers, and provide CNG at the retail outlets and also create employment opportunities in the region.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the Durgapur to Kolkata section (132 Km) of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, which has been laid as a part of the ambitious Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) Project. (ANI)