Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Union Cabinet’s approval of significant funding for the Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) schemes, hailing them as pivotal for India’s development. The decisions, announced in New Delhi, underscore the government’s commitment to education reform and energy access for marginalized communities.
The MERITE scheme, with a Rs 4,200 crore outlay from 2025-26 to 2029-30, including a Rs 2,100 crore World Bank loan, will upgrade 275 technical institutions—175 engineering colleges and 100 polytechnics—benefiting approximately 7.5 lakh students. Adityanath, in a Hindi post on X, lauded the scheme’s alignment with the National Education Policy-2020, noting its focus on enhancing quality, inclusivity, research, innovation, and women’s empowerment in technical education. “This will shape a bright future for our youth,” he stated, expressing gratitude to Modi.
The Cabinet also greenlit a Rs 12,000 crore subsidy for PMUY in 2025-26, providing Rs 300 per LPG cylinder to over 10.33 crore households. Launched in 2016, PMUY offers free LPG connections to women from economically disadvantaged households, promoting clean cooking fuel to improve health and reduce environmental impact. Adityanath called the decision a “heartfelt gift” on Raksha Bandhan, emphasizing its dedication to “maternal power” and household convenience. As of July 1, 2025, PMUY supports around 10.33 crore connections nationwide.
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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the MERITE scheme’s implementation, highlighting its role in fostering employment-oriented education and innovation. The initiatives align with the Viksit Bharat vision, aiming to empower rural and underserved communities through education and energy access. Adityanath’s endorsements reflect the schemes’ potential to drive socio-economic progress, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where technical education and clean energy access remain critical needs.
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