By ENS Express Bureau - NEW DELHI 12th December 2012 09:16 AM
Ahead of the roll out of direct cash subsidy transfer scheme as planned by the government, the Petroleum Ministry on Tuesday while expressing apprehensions said the plan will not be easy to implement because of the low base of people who have been issued their unique identity Aadhar cards.
The government has identified 51 districts for the rollout of the scheme in the first phase beginning January 1.
Speaking at the 11th Petro India Conference organised by India Energy Forum and Observer Research Foundation, Petroleum Secretary GC Chaturvedi said “direct cash transfer is a very good concept as will check a lot of pilferage that is currently taking place in marketing of cooking gas LPG.”
The scheme involves government transferring cash subsidy of Rs 520.50 in bank accounts of LPG consumers and asking them to buy their LPG at market price of `931 per cylinder.
Presently oil companies sell LPG at subsidised rates of Rs 410.50 per cylinder in Delhi and the difference between the cost and price realised is made good by subsidy dole out to them.
This has led to subsidised LPG being diverted to unintended use like commercial establishments who are otherwise supposed to buy gas at market price.
“But the cash transfer is not easy as Aadhar penetration is very low. Only 20 crore population has been enrolled for Aadhaar.” Rolling out direct cash transfer in districts Aadhaar penetration of less than 80-90 per cent will be difficult.