In September 2017, which Union minister formally launched the Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat Yojana to promote clean cooking fuel?

Introduction / Context:

This question falls under Indian government schemes and current affairs. The Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat Yojana is an outreach initiative related to the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which focuses on providing clean cooking fuel to rural households. Knowing which minister launched the scheme in a particular year reflects awareness of both the scheme and the ministerial portfolio at that time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Concept / Approach:

During the period when LPG related schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana and LPG Panchayat Yojana were active, Dharmendra Pradhan served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Although the Prime Minister gives broader direction and sometimes inaugurates flagship schemes, the day to day launch events and programme expansions are often done by the concerned Union minister. Therefore, it is logical and factually correct that Dharmendra Pradhan launched the LPG Panchayat Yojana in September 2017.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

As a verification step, recall that newspaper articles about LPG Panchayats often quoted Dharmendra Pradhan addressing rural women, discussing safety, and explaining benefits of LPG connections under Ujjwala. The Prime Minister is usually associated with announcing the main vision, while the specialised minister carries out specific programme launches. This memory pattern supports Dharmendra Pradhan rather than the other names listed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Narendra Modi: Although he is the Prime Minister under whose leadership Ujjwala and associated schemes were launched, the specific event of LPG Panchayat Yojana launch in September 2017 was carried out by the Petroleum Minister.

Piyush Goyal: He has held portfolios such as power, coal, and railways, but LPG related schemes fall primarily under the petroleum ministry.

R.K. Singh: He is known for roles in power and renewable energy sectors and is not associated with leading LPG Panchayat launch events.

Common Pitfalls:

Many students may quickly choose the Prime Minister's name whenever a scheme begins with Pradhan Mantri, without checking which minister actually launched a particular programme extension. Another mistake is mixing up ministers with overlapping energy related portfolios. To avoid such errors, associate specific scheme launches with the ministers who handle the relevant ministries at the time.

Final Answer:

The correct answer is Dharmendra Pradhan.