Archive · 10 Oct 2026
UP Cabinet Approves Free LPG Refills and Electric Buses
The Uttar Pradesh government approved two free cooking-gas refills for eligible Ujjwala households in 2026-27.
The refills are planned for two periods: October to December 2026 and January to March 2027.
The government says the plan will cost about Rs 2,142.78 crore.
People must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account and completed Aadhaar verification to qualify.
The government says the scheme is meant to encourage cleaner cooking and reduce smoke-related harm.
The Cabinet also approved 1,725 air-conditioned electric buses for 18 cities.
Private operators will handle buying, running and maintaining the buses.
Lucknow and Kanpur are each set to get 300 buses.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved two free LPG refills for Ujjwala beneficiaries in the 2026-27 financial year.
The state expects the refills to cost Rs 2,142.78 crore and plans to distribute them in October-December 2026 and January-March 2027.
Eligibility requires an Aadhaar-linked bank account and completed Aadhaar authentication.
The Cabinet also approved 1,725 air-conditioned electric buses for 18 cities, to be procured, operated and maintained by private operators under the GCC model.
Lucknow and Kanpur will each receive 300 buses; Varanasi 250 and Gorakhpur 150, with allocations also made to 14 other cities.
- Who
- The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath; Ujjwala beneficiaries are eligible for the free refills.
- What
- The Cabinet approved two free LPG refills for eligible beneficiaries and the operation of 1,725 air-conditioned electric buses in 18 cities.
- When
- The refills are planned for October-December 2026 and January-March 2027, during the 2026-27 financial year. The Cabinet decision was taken on Friday.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh; the electric buses are planned for 18 cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi.
- Why
- The government says the free refills aim to encourage clean cooking fuel and reduce smoke-related harm to women, children and the environment.
- LPG refill benefit
- Two free refills for eligible Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries
- Financial year
- 2026-27
- Expected state expenditure
- Rs 2,142.78 crore
- Refill phases
- October-December 2026 and January-March 2027
- Eligibility requirement
- Bank account linked to Aadhaar and completed Aadhaar authentication
- Electric buses approved
- 1,725 air-conditioned buses across 18 cities
- Bus operating model
- Gross cost contract, with private operators handling procurement, operation and maintenance
- Largest listed allocations
- Lucknow and Kanpur: 300 buses each; Varanasi: 250; Gorakhpur: 150