New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Ujjwala 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana - PMUY) by handing over LPG connections at Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh on August 10.

During the event, to be held via video conferencing, the Prime Minister will interact with beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme and will also address the nation, a government statement said on Sunday.

Describing the journey from Ujjwala 1.0 to Ujjwala 2.0, the release said, during Ujjwala 1.0 launched in 2016, the target was set to provide LPG connections to five crore women members of BPL households. Subsequently, the scheme was expanded in April 2018 to include women beneficiaries from seven more categories: SC/ST, PMAY, AAY, Most backward classes, tea garden, forest dwellers, Islands. Also, the target was revised to eight crore LPG connections.

"This target was achieved in August 2019, seven months ahead of the target date," the statement added.

In the Union budget for FY 21-22, provision for an additional one crore LPG connection under the PMUY scheme was announced. These one crore additional PMUY connections (under Ujjwala 2.0) aim to provide deposit-free LPG connections to those low-income families who could not be covered under the earlier phase of PMUY.

"Along with a deposit free LPG connection, Ujjwala 2.0 will provide first refill and hotplate free of cost to the beneficiaries. Also, the enrollment procedure will require minimum paperwork. Ujjwala 2.0 will help achieve the Prime Minister's vision of universal access to LPG," the release claimed.