Correct Option
The correct option isReducing deforestation and carbon emission.
Explanation
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) and other deprived households. Its primary goal is to safeguard the health of women and children by replacing unclean cooking fuels with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).Option Analysis:
- Reducing deforestation and carbon emission. is Correct: A significant collateral objective of the scheme is environmental protection. By shifting households away from solid fuels like firewood and coal, the scheme reduces the demand for wood, thereby reducing deforestation. Additionally, it lowers carbon emissions and indoor air pollution caused by the combustion of biomass.
- Providing employment to rural women. is Incorrect: While the scheme empowers women by reducing the drudgery of collecting firewood and improving health, providing direct employment to rural women is not a stated objective of PMUY.
- Increasing agricultural productivity. is Incorrect: The scheme focuses on energy access and health, not on agricultural inputs or productivity.
- Promoting organic farming. is Incorrect: Promoting organic farming is unrelated to the mandate of PMUY; it is covered under agriculture-specific schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Key Takeaway: PMUY aims to empower women and protect their health by curbing indoor air pollution, while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns such as deforestation and carbon emissions.