One of the less discussed but potentially far-reaching features of this year’s Budget was the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).The PMUY is a bold and much-needed initiative, but it should be recognised that this is just a first step. Many efforts are needed to widen the net of recipients, increase subsidy receipts to encourage use and extending the distribution networks. Such efforts, if it leads to sustained LPG use can impact India's disease burden. It will result in truly smokeless kitchens only if the government follows up with measures that go beyond connections to actual usage of LPG. This may require concerted efforts cutting across Ministries beyond petroleum and natural gas and including those of health, rural development and women and child welfare.

An opinion piece was published in The Hindu on 12th April 2016 about this. An extended article was published in the EPW issue of 16th April 2016