Akram Mohammed, Mysore, August 27, 2013, DHNS:
Achievement of 85 per cent compared with national average of 72.8 per cent
The launch of Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of LPG subsidies has received mixed response from the people about its benefits. However, Mysore is among the best performing districts under the scheme in the country.
It can be recalled that DBT of LPG subsidies was launched in the district on July 1. The scheme was launched on June 1, in 19 other districts in the country which had been selected on a pilot basis. However, ‘buffer period’ for all districts is scheduled to end on August 31.
Despite a month-long delay in the launch, owing to poll code of conduct in Mysore due to two by-polls, the district tops in the country in percentage of LPG-Aadhaar seeding, with a high 85 per cent. That is, among 5,21,516 LPG consumers in the district, 4,41,233 have seeded Aadhaar numbers with LPG distributors for transfer of LPG subsidies. The national average among the districts chosen on a pilot basis as on August 25, was 72.8 per cent.
It can be recalled that DBT of LPG subsidies was launched in the district on July 1. The scheme was launched on June 1, in 19 other districts in the country which had been selected on a pilot basis. However, ‘buffer period’ for all districts is scheduled to end on August 31.
Despite a month-long delay in the launch, owing to poll code of conduct in Mysore due to two by-polls, the district tops in the country in percentage of LPG-Aadhaar seeding, with a high 85 per cent. That is, among 5,21,516 LPG consumers in the district, 4,41,233 have seeded Aadhaar numbers with LPG distributors for transfer of LPG subsidies. The national average among the districts chosen on a pilot basis as on August 25, was 72.8 per cent.
Mysore is third best in the country in terms of percentage of bank-Aadhaar seeding, with 61 per cent, compared with the national average of 49.5 per cent. Tumkur, which is another district in Karnataka chosen under the pilot project, has LPG-Aadhaar seeding of 76 per cent and bank-Aadhaar seeding of 56 per cent.
Assistant Director, Statistics, M B P Pandey, speaking to Deccan Herald said, the district was close to achieving 100 per cent seeding of accounts for LPG subsidies. He said that validation of several Aadhaar numbers of individuals eligible for old age pensions, pension for physically-handicapped and other social security schemes were under process and DBT would be applied for those pensions soon.
One of the drawbacks faced by the scheme is regarding issuance of Aadhaar cards. Pandey said, Aadhaar generation percentage in the district as on July 27, 2013, was 91 per cent. However, not all persons who have an Aadhaar number generated for them, have received their Aadhaar cards, he said.
Lead Bank Manager K N Shivalingaiah said, Mysore district has consistently fared well with Aadhaar seeding. “Banks have spent a lot of money and energy to educate and create awareness among the public to seed Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts. We had dispatched letters, bulk SMSes and advertised extensively to ensure the same,” he said.
Buffer period for Mysore ends on Aug 31
Since, DBT of LPG subsidies was launched on June around the country, districts were given three month ‘buffer period’ to complete seeding of Aadhaar numbers, LPG consumer numbers and bank accounts. Since, it was launched in Mysore a month late, authorities have not received any word on whether the ‘buffer period’ has been extended for a month for the district.
If the buffer period is not extended, consumers who have not seeded their accounts for LPG subsidies, will have to shell out the full amount from September 1.
“The issue has been raised in the Parliament. We are expecting the buffer period to be extended around the country,” Lead Bank Manager K N Shivalingaiah said.
Assistant Director, Statistics, M B P Pandey, speaking to Deccan Herald said, the district was close to achieving 100 per cent seeding of accounts for LPG subsidies. He said that validation of several Aadhaar numbers of individuals eligible for old age pensions, pension for physically-handicapped and other social security schemes were under process and DBT would be applied for those pensions soon.
One of the drawbacks faced by the scheme is regarding issuance of Aadhaar cards. Pandey said, Aadhaar generation percentage in the district as on July 27, 2013, was 91 per cent. However, not all persons who have an Aadhaar number generated for them, have received their Aadhaar cards, he said.
Lead Bank Manager K N Shivalingaiah said, Mysore district has consistently fared well with Aadhaar seeding. “Banks have spent a lot of money and energy to educate and create awareness among the public to seed Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts. We had dispatched letters, bulk SMSes and advertised extensively to ensure the same,” he said.
Buffer period for Mysore ends on Aug 31
Since, DBT of LPG subsidies was launched on June around the country, districts were given three month ‘buffer period’ to complete seeding of Aadhaar numbers, LPG consumer numbers and bank accounts. Since, it was launched in Mysore a month late, authorities have not received any word on whether the ‘buffer period’ has been extended for a month for the district.
If the buffer period is not extended, consumers who have not seeded their accounts for LPG subsidies, will have to shell out the full amount from September 1.
“The issue has been raised in the Parliament. We are expecting the buffer period to be extended around the country,” Lead Bank Manager K N Shivalingaiah said.
