4836 - LPG subsidy transfer to bank accounts leaves consumers baffled - Hindustan Times

LPG subsidy transfer to bank accounts leaves consumers baffled

Jyotsna Jalali, Hindustan Times  Chandigarh, October 11, 2013

While many consumers across tricity who have Aadhaar cards have started getting subsidy on LPG cylinders from October 1, but there is still confusion on the amount being transferred as subsidy in their accounts.

Meanwhile, those without Aadhaar cards will continue to get cylinder at the subsidised rate of `419 till December 31 this year, following that it will depend upon the policy of government of India.

The customers are getting `435 as subsidy in advance, in addition to the `609 which is the actual subsidy they will be getting on the purchase of each gas cylinder. However, many are not being able to understand the double amount being transferred to their bank accounts.

Customers are unaware that `435 is just one-time benefit they will be getting under the government of India scheme. In subsequent months, the entire subsidy amount will be transferred only after the dealer concerned puts the delivery note of for  particular customer online that would be `609.

Also, there are customers who in addition to `435 have received a total of `592 as subsidy in their account while they should have got `609. There are many others who haven't received subsidy at all.

Speaking to HT, a city-based dealer said, "I have consumers coming to me asking for the remaining subsidy amount, but I have no answer to their question. All we can do is put forth a question to the companies on their behalf."

"We ourselves are not being able to handle the booking properly with this new online system, for most of the time servers are not functional properly and we cannot connect online. There are glitches and we hope they settle with time," the dealer added.

Customers feel that this system of getting subsidy in bank accounts is not customer friendly and not many people keep a check on small amounts being transferred to their accounts.

Praveen Aggarwal, who is associated with a dealer in Sector 37, said, "This system was supposed to be foolproof and to help customers, but I don't see it happening. I got subsidy twice in my account and I was not sure how it happened. Nobody has made us aware on the advance part. Dealers don't have answers to our queries and we are bound to pay the entire amount as cooking gas cylinder is essential. Government officials and dealing companies should come out clearly on the policy."

Different dealers across the tricity said, "Since everything is online, they do not have any clarification on the issue as of now."

Adding, another dealer said, "Not all Aadhaar card details have been updated online and thus, we are not able to compare the same and only after dealers, banks and government upload the Aadhaar card details, the subsidy will be transferred. This is a major reason for delay. Dealers need to be educated and even the government needs to create awareness on this."

How subsidy would be transferred

*Customer will make a request for the cylinder and pay `1,028 - the cost of non-subsidised cylinder
*Dealer will transfer `435 as advance in the account of consumer (one-time thing)
*Dealer will compare the Aadhaar card number provided by the consumer with the data available to them by the government
*Dealer after comparing will finalise the sale online
*Based on this online entry by dealer, the bank concerned will transfer subsidy to the particular account.

Reasons for confusion, delay in subsidy transfer

*Consumers unaware of one- time `435 advance
*Dealers don't have computer efficient staff, causing delay in uploading sales online
*Servers of companies like Indian Oil not functioning properly
*Not all Aadhar card details being uploaded by the government.