Direct benefits for LPG to be operational in Punjab, Haryana by January 2014

The Direct benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme will become fully operational in the state of Punjab and Haryana by January next year. However in Gurdaspur, Moga, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Roopnagar, Kapurthala, Patiala and Sangrur the scheme would get operational on October 1, 2013,in SAS Nagar Mohali on November 1, 2013, in Mansa, Ferozepur on the December 1, 2013 and in Tarn Taran and Mukatsar the scheme would begin on January 1, 2014.

As far Haryana is concerned, in Ambala and Sonipat, the scheme will get operational from October 1, 2013, in Panchkula and Faridabad it would get operational on November 1, 2013. In the districts Kurukshetra, Karnal, Kaithial, the scheme will start on December 1, 2013 while in Rohtak, Gurgaon, Yamunagar, Palwal, Panipat, Sirsa and Hissar, the scheme will be launched on January 1, 2014.

As per the DBTL scheme, cash subsidy is transferred for the LPG cylinders directly into the bank accounts of the LPG consumers while the sale happens at the market price. In order to avail transfer of cash subsidy into the bank account, Aadhaar number of the LPG consumer has to be linked to the LPG consumer number and bank account of the LPG consumer for which a three months grace period from date of launch is being provided.

During the grace period all consumers continue to get LPG cylinders at subsidised rate. After the grace period is over, all LPG consumers have to pay for LPG cylinders at market rate. Linkage via Aadhaar number is required for the transfer of cash subsidy. Thus, only those who have linked their Aadhaar numbers to both their bank account and LPG consumer number will be able to receive cash subsidy in their bank accounts.

After the grace period is over, consumers will receive cash subsidy as and when they link their Aadhaar numbers for the balance entitlement.

All LPG consumers are advised to obtain Aadhaar number and link it to their LPG consumer number and to their bank accounts if they wish to avail of the LPG subsidy at the earliest.