First ‘smoke-free state’ in India

Himachal Pradesh has been designated as India’s first “smoke-free” state. The big milestone was attained thanks to social initiatives such as the Centre’s Ujjwala Yojana and the state government’s Himachal Grihini Suvidha scheme. In addition, the Himalayan state has become the country’s first LPG-enabled state. It basically means that every home in Himachal is equipped with an LPG hookup. It’s worth noting that traditionally, food was cooked on a ‘Chullah’ using lightning woods and fuel, which not only causes health issues but also pollution.

The Central government launched the Ujjwalla Yojna to address this significant matter, with the goal of freeing the people of the country from indoor pollution. In keeping with the same idea, the Himachal Pradesh government launched the Grihini Suvidha Yojana, which aims to benefit as many people as possible.

Ujjwala Yojana & Grihini Suvidha Yojana 

In Himachal Pradesh, the Ujjwala Yojana has provided 1.36 lakh free residential connections at a cost of Rs 21.81 crore. Grihini Suvidha Yojana, on the other hand, has distributed 3.23 lakh free LPG cylinders throughout the state at a cost of Rs. 120 crores. The state-run Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana and the Centre’s Ujjawala scheme have collaborated to build a symbiotic environment in Himachal, aimed at eradicating indoor pollution. Aside from that, families who do not have access to gas have been given free LPG connections, a step that is also intended to save the environment. 

The state with 100 % LPG gas connections 

Collecting fuel wood and cooking food on a traditional chullah was not only inconvenient, but it also harmed people’s health. It also had negative environmental consequences because countless trees were felled for fuelwood.

To address all of these difficulties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government proposed the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna, which gave free gas connections to underprivileged women in rural regions during their first term. Later, the state government established Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojna to help the state’s poor families. As a result, Himachal Pradesh is now the first state in the country to have 100 percent LPG gas connections.