Centre to Give 25 Million Free LPG Connections for Navratri

24 Sep 2025 CW Team

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that the government will distribute 25 million free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) during Navratri. This will take the total number of LPG connections under the scheme to 106 million.

Each new connection will receive support worth Rs 2,050, covering LPG cylinders, stoves, regulators, and installation. Puri described the initiative as a celebration of women’s power, linking it to the cultural significance of Navratri and the embodiment of ‘Shakti’ in Indian tradition.

He highlighted that the scheme currently offers a Rs 300 subsidy for over 103 million cylinders, enabling refills at Rs 553, which is lower than many LPG-producing nations. Launched in May 2016, PMUY provides deposit-free LPG connections to women from underprivileged households, including the first refill and stove free under Ujjwala 2.0.

The minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting women’s health and safety through the initiative, noting the scheme’s impact in improving kitchens and the wellbeing of entire families.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..