Odisha wants LPG subsidy deadline put off

Odisha has sought an extension of the deadline for implementing the direct transfer of cash subsidy scheme for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the state as many people do not have Aadhaar cards, a top officer said Sunday.

Odisha Chief Secretary J.K. Mohapatra, in a letter to the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, has sought the extension of the first phase deadline in four districts of Khurdha, Balangir, Cuttack and Puri to April 30.

Subsequently, the extension of the second phase deadline in three other districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Sundargarh has been sought to June 30, M.S. Padhi, secretary of the food, supplies and consumer welfare department, told IANS.

The government's move comes days after different political parties complained that large numbers of consumers were yet to link their Aadhaar cards with the LPG scheme.

The parties said the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has rejected the enrolment data of more than three million people from the state on various grounds.

The UIDAI has so far issued Aadhaar card to 1.6 crore people in the state against a target of 3.83 crore.