Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a major relief measure for poor households across the state saying free LPG cylinders would be given to eligible beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on Diwali and Holi — two major Hindu festivals. This announcement is expected to help millions of families who are reeling under rising household expenses and cooking fuel prices.
The announcement was made during a government programme to distribute LPG refill subsidies to more than 1.89 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries across Uttar Pradesh. The state government has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for the subsidy scheme, which shows its commitment towards economically weaker households.
Free LPG Cylinders on Diwali and Holi
Under the announced scheme, eligible families registered under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will get one free LPG cylinder during Diwali and another during Holi every year. This way beneficiaries won’t have to worry about purchasing cooking gas extra money on important festivals.
Addressing beneficiaries, Adityanath told them the cost of a domestic LPG cylinder and the subsidy given by the Central Government. The Chief Minister said the price of a domestic cylinder is Rs 983.45 and the Centre gives a subsidy of Rs 335 to eligible beneficiaries.
After taking into account the central subsidy, beneficiaries will have to pay Rs 648.55 for the cylinder. The UP government also wants to give additional financial help so that eligible families get cylinders free during these two festivals.
The Chief Minister said the money saved through this could be used for Diwali celebrations, sweets and traditional lamps.
Rs 1,500 Crore Allocated for Ujjwala Beneficiaries
Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated by the UP government for LPG refill subsidies for more than 1.89 crore households under the Ujjwala scheme.
It forms part of the state’s larger efforts to increase access to clean cooking fuel and ease financial pressure on low-income families. LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana were introduced so women from economically disadvantaged households could move away from traditional cooking fuels (firewood, coal, etc.) to clean cooking fuel (LPG).
Access to LPG is especially important for rural households where cooking with firewood and other traditional methods leads to indoor air pollution and health issues.
Yogi Adityanath Highlights Improved Access to LPG Connections
In his speech, Adityanath also attacked the Congress-led governments for not being able to provide domestic gas connections to poor families.
He said the present government had made LPG connections more accessible by providing support to economically weaker households through Ujjwala.
The Chief Minister said that cooking gas is part of good governance. Women do most of the household cooking, and it is they who should be given the facility to use cooking gas (gas cylinders).
VIDEO | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath), addressing the launch of the Rs 1,500 crore LPG refill subsidy distribution programme in Lucknow, congratulates 1.89 crore Ujjwala beneficiary families as the Diwali gift is credited directly to their bank accounts. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 3, 2026
Ayodhya Deepotsav on November 7 to Promote Social Unity
Apart from announcing the LPG relief measure, Adityanath also talked about the cultural significance of Ayodhya’s Deepotsav celebrations on November 7.
The Chief Minister will visit Ayodhya to review preparations for the grand festival, which has become a major cultural event in UP.
Adityanath posted on X that Deepotsav is a celebration which brings people from different sections of society together through faith, traditions and cultural heritage.
He said the lighting of lamps by people belonging to different backgrounds sends a message of unity and collective participation.
The Chief Minister also said that the Uttar Pradesh government had launched Deepotsav celebrations in 2017 to put Ayodhya’s cultural and religious heritage on a larger platform.
He said the festival has gradually become a major public celebration in which people from all communities and regions take part in.
A Festival of Culture and Togetherness
Adityanath also said caste divisions can make society different, and shared cultural traditions have the power to unite people.
He cited Ayodhya’s Deepotsav as an example of how cultural celebrations can build social connections and encourage collective participation.
With the announcement of free LPG cylinders and preparations for Deepotsav in full swing, the UP government is working on public welfare as well as cultural celebrations ahead of the festive season.
The promise of two free LPG cylinders a year is expected to mean something to eligible Ujjwala households (Diwali and Holi are generally when household expenses go up).
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