Scheme for direct cash transfer to subsidy beneficiaries

To give final shape to this programme, Singh has set up a architecture comprising a committee under him besides a few other panels which would ensure time-bound implementation of the project leveraging the Aadhar scheme.

Government spends a huge amount of Rs 3,25,000 crore annually on subsidies and the new scheme is intended to check corruption and pilferage of subsidised items like diesel, LPG and other benefits like pension and scholarships.

"In a move to cut down wastage, duplication and leakages and enhance efficiency, the Prime Minister has given a major push to transfer individual benefits from the government directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries," a PMO statement said.

"This is to be done in fast-track, accelerated mode to be achieved in a time-bound manner," it said about the scheme which is already being implemented on a pilot basis in states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Sikkim.

The amount of cash to be transfered is to be worked out.

The National Ministerial Committee, to be headed by the Prime Minister, will include Ministers of Finance, IT, Social Justice, HRD, Minorities, Labour, Health, Food, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fertilizers and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

Besides, there will be a National Executive Committee comprising Secretaries of ministries concerned and it will ensure adherence to timelines and sort out any hitches in the roll-out of the programme. (MORE)