India cuts annual subsidised LPG cylinder refills under PM Ujjwala Yojana to four

The Indian government announced that the number of subsidised LPG cylinder refills under the Prime Minister’s Ujjwala Yojana will be reduced from nine to four per year. The change is intended to curb rising subsidy costs amid higher global fuel prices and losses incurred by oil‑marketing companies. Beneficiaries will continue to receive a ₹300 subsidy for each 14.2 kg cylinder, but only for the first four annual refills, limiting the total yearly subsidy per family to about ₹1,200.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the move, saying the Modi administration has already taken away work rights under MGNREGA and is now “taking away the food” of the poor by slashing LPG benefits.

The policy shift affects millions of households that rely on the scheme for affordable cooking fuel.