Since February 2021, petrol, diesel and LPG prices are constantly rising. This has led to rural women, who were provided with a LPG gas cylinger under the 'Ujjwala' scheme, go back to cooking under traditional stoves using wood as a fuel as they are unable to afford refills.
Our Community Correspondent Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal reports from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh on this issue but this could be prevalent in many other states of India. "Gas prices have risen by more than Rs. 125 ($1.71) since February and I have gone back to my old stove," said Kaula Devi from Manihawa village in Uttar Pradesh.
The women say that if the price increase is rolled back they'll go back to the LPG gas cylinders. Gas cylinders disbursed under the Ujjwala scheme are subsidized by the government. However, an increase in prices has led women to go back to the traditional ways of cooking that leads to several respiratory issues.
Fighting for Change: The Story of Bihar-Based Journalist Amir Abbas
Inspiration can come from many sources, but one of the most powerful is seeing someone walk the path before you. Our Community Correspondent, Syed Amir Abbas found his inspiration in Stalin K., the founding director of Video Volunteers. “I met Stalin at VV’s national meet in 2017 and I...
“Video Volunteers gave me a platform to go the extra mile for people”
Avijit Adhikary is a journalist with nearly 8000 days of field experience till date. In the past two decades, he has witnessed the ebb and flow of the media industry in India, with ripples felt in his region too. This includes the rise of digital media, the decline of print...