TNN, Oct 29, 2010, 12.34am IST
NEW DELHI: It is a Diwali gift that the underprivileged would love. The Planning Commission has approved the subsidised LPG scheme for the Below Poverty Line population, which will help boost the poor's share of use of cooking gas.
The petroleum ministry will urge the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to fund the scheme that is expected to cost Rs 490 crore.
While giving its nod, the Plan panel has underlined that a detailed process be devised to ensure that the subsidy reaches the targetted population. The use of UID, and involvement of panchayats in identification of beneficiaries is suggested as a possible way of curbing pilferage.
The scheme, piloted by junior petroleum minister Jitin Prasada, will involvethe government in underwriting the cost of security money deposited for gas connections.
As per the rule, the first-time buyers have to deposit Rs 1,400 as security and the sum is seen as a hurdle to poor penetration of LPG among financially weak consumers.
The Congress has proposed the scheme as part of its 'aam aadmi' agenda to tap the rural poor. A movement in that direction will be a big boost for the health of the poor and environment as they use kerosene, or firewood for cooking.
Around 35 lakh families are expected to benefit from the scheme.
However, the Planning Commission has been careful in underlining the pitfalls of subsidy distribution in the wake of its experience on other fronts like food, which has been marred by pilferage. The Plan panel has said, "There is a need for strict vigil on the scheme so that the benefit actually reaches BPL families."
The obvious fear in such a scheme is that non-BPL consumers could fake their identity to corner benefits. Hence, the Plan panel has suggested that the petroleum ministry and oil marketing companies will have to devise guidelines, use UID numbers to check pilferage of subsidy and involve panchayats for identification of BPL beneficiaries.
NEW DELHI: It is a Diwali gift that the underprivileged would love. The Planning Commission has approved the subsidised LPG scheme for the Below Poverty Line population, which will help boost the poor's share of use of cooking gas.
The petroleum ministry will urge the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to fund the scheme that is expected to cost Rs 490 crore.
While giving its nod, the Plan panel has underlined that a detailed process be devised to ensure that the subsidy reaches the targetted population. The use of UID, and involvement of panchayats in identification of beneficiaries is suggested as a possible way of curbing pilferage.
The scheme, piloted by junior petroleum minister Jitin Prasada, will involvethe government in underwriting the cost of security money deposited for gas connections.
As per the rule, the first-time buyers have to deposit Rs 1,400 as security and the sum is seen as a hurdle to poor penetration of LPG among financially weak consumers.
The Congress has proposed the scheme as part of its 'aam aadmi' agenda to tap the rural poor. A movement in that direction will be a big boost for the health of the poor and environment as they use kerosene, or firewood for cooking.
Around 35 lakh families are expected to benefit from the scheme.
However, the Planning Commission has been careful in underlining the pitfalls of subsidy distribution in the wake of its experience on other fronts like food, which has been marred by pilferage. The Plan panel has said, "There is a need for strict vigil on the scheme so that the benefit actually reaches BPL families."
The obvious fear in such a scheme is that non-BPL consumers could fake their identity to corner benefits. Hence, the Plan panel has suggested that the petroleum ministry and oil marketing companies will have to devise guidelines, use UID numbers to check pilferage of subsidy and involve panchayats for identification of BPL beneficiaries.