Hyderabad, Oct 27 (Reporter) Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy on Sunday highlighted the transformative impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), announcing that over 10 crore women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across India have received free LPG cylinder connections. Speaking at the LPG Distributors Summit 2024 held at Gayatri Garden in Secunderabad, Reddy emphasised that PMUY is not only improving access to clean cooking fuel but is also a "Lifeline for Prosperity & Growth" for families nationwide. Reddy praised the Modi government's efforts to bring affordable and safe cooking fuel to all households, reducing reliance on firewood and protecting both health and the environment. He noted that over 15 lakh women beneficiaries in Telangana have been freed from the burden of traditional, smoke-producing stoves, which has significantly improved their quality of life and increased their participation in economic activities. The minister also expressed gratitude to those who voluntarily gave up their LPG subsidies, allowing the government to extend these benefits to underserved communities. Highlighting the success of the initiative, he pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 30 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries received free LPG refills under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, thanks to the distributors’ dedicated service. Encouraging distributors to adopt advanced technology such as AI for improved booking, tracking and customer support, Reddy acknowledged their essential role in fulfilling the government’s commitment to clean energy access. With LPG connections now covering 90 per cent of households in Telangana, he remarked that rural women are saving up to 60 per cent of their cooking time, enabling them to engage in other economic pursuits. Looking forward, Reddy stated that India’s journey to becoming a developed nation depends on the active participation of distributors and the country’s youth, urging continued efforts to strengthen sustainable energy initiatives and empower communities nationwide...////...