OMCs in Tamil Nadu simplify procedures to boost enrolment for DBTL

Decision comes in the backdrop of poor response from customers

Oil marketing companies in Tamil Nadu are coming up with simple procedures to enrol LPG consumers in a large way for the direct benefit transfer (DBTL) scheme.

According to OMCs, customer interest in switching over to the new regime has been very low in the state, where only 22 per cent of the total 15 million customers have been enroled so far.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai today, UV Mannur, executive director of Indian Oil, said the DBTL enrolment procedures had been simplifed with a new one-page common joining form.

With the Centre recently stating the Aadhaar numbers were not mandatory for DBTL enrolment, oil companies’ retail outlets had been distributing two sets of forms-- one for Aadhaar and another for non-Aadhaar customers.

Consumer awareness camps and SMSes were being sent out to customers to understand the necessity to shift to the new cash-transfer of LPG subsidy scheme.

According to Mannur, Aadhaar generation level among the  15.4 million households in 33 districts in Tamil Nadu  is 64 per cent.

From January 1, 2015, all consumers who had joined the scheme will start getting LPG cylinders at market price and subsidy amount will be deposited in their respective bank accounts.

The modified DBTL scheme was relaunched in 54 districts on November 15 in the first phase and being launched in the rest of the country on January 1, 2015.