Direct benefit transfer for LPG crosses 1-million mark

Till now, govt has transferred Rs 41 crore to bank accounts of LPG consumers in 'select' districts

With the direct benefit transfer (DBT) for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) almost completing a month, the scheme has so far roped in more than one million consumers getting direct cash transfers to their bank accounts in 18 districts across the country.

Till now, the government has transferred Rs 41 crore to the accounts of LPG consumers in these districts.

The government has informed that after the end of a grace period till September this year, LPG cylinders will be sold to all domestic LPG consumers at market price.

However, the subsidy will be transferred to only those who have linked Aadhaar number to LPG consumer number and Bank account and others will not get any subsidy.

The Centre had launched Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme in 18 high Aadhaar coverage districts, benefitting 6.7 million consumers, since June 1.

The scheme aims to curb leakages and prevent black-marketing and provide subsidy to consumers in their bank accounts. In these 18 districts the subsidy on LPG cylinders is being provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar linked bank accounts.

As per the scheme, all Aadhaar-linked domestic LPG consumers are getting an advance in their bank account as soon as they book their first subsidized cylinder, before delivery.

According to a petroleum ministry statement, so far 6 lakh transactions are done in this regard. On the delivery of the first subsidized cylinder, the next subsidy round of money gets transferred to the bank account, out of which 4 lakh transactions are done so far.

In an effort to familiarize people with the system, MoPNG, along with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Banks have taken steps like advertisements, drop boxes to collect bank-Aadhaar linking forms and direct canvassing through delivery boys.

Through the drop bix initiative a total of total of 1,99,029 forms are collected so far and handed over to lead district managers for banks.