Aadhar-linked subsidy on LPG flayed at CCPA meeting

The Aadhar-linked subsidy on LPG cylinders today came in for sharp criticism from ministers at a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs before an announcement was made about it being put on hold.
A number of ministers in the 11-member committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said there were problems in implementation of the scheme that was launched with much fanfare by the UPA government last year, according to sources.
The issue saw a marathon debate, with Defence Minister A K Antony, one of the seniormost ministers in the Cabinet, being the most articulate in flagging problems in the implementation.

Sources said Antony, who usually speaks less, spoke on the issue for nearly 10 minutes, pointing out "practical problems" being faced in the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer scheme linked with Aadhar cards.
A number of other ministers also spoke on similar lines, saying people were not happy with the scheme as most of them were receiving subsidies after a long gap though they pay the full amount for the cylinder, the sources said.
After the meeting, Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily said the scheme has now been put on hold and a committee would be set up to review the programme.

He also announced increase in the cap of subsidised LPG cylinders from 9 to 12.