Aadhaar mess: Cylinders being sold at non-subsidized rates
TNN Oct 18, 2013, 03.31AM IST
HYDERABAD: Despite Union minister Veerappa Moily stating last week that Aadhaar card is not mandatory for LPG subsidy, distributors in Hyderabad are depriving consumers of the subsidy for not possessing Aadhaar cards.
There are 1.75 crore LPG consumers in the state while 1,197 distributors supply around one crore cylinders on a monthly basis. While a subsidized cylinder costs Rs 460, a non-subsidized one costs Rs 1,094. Given that large number of people are yet to get Aadhaar cards, consumers are having a harrowing time in bringing around distributors to take cognizance of the Supreme Court's interim order stating that the Aadhaar number cannot be made mandatory for people to avail of government services.
However, in clear violation of the SC ruling, distributors are minting money by selling the 14.2 kg LPG cylinder above the subsidized rate. "No subsidy policy is linked with Aadhaar, according to the apex court of the country. But then, whether these rulings are indeed implemented is anybody's guess. Dealers seem to be benefiting from the ambiguity surrounding Aadhaar," said Uma Maheshwari, an independent journalist. "This is nothing but a ploy to stop the delivery of subsidized cylinders to the common man. People are now coughing up around Rs 1,200 for a refill," she added.
According to M Padma, chief rationing officer at the civil supplies department, about 71% of the LPG consumers in Hyderabad have linked their gas delivery connections with Aadhaar. Nevertheless, large number of consumers are yet get their Aadhaar numbers linked to their bank accounts and are therefore ending up paying the non-subsidized rates.
Denizens said while a cylinder should be ideally supplied within 48 hours, in most areas, the delivery period ranges from eight to 20 days. "People were given three months time by the government to get their Aadhaar cards. Most are, however, yet to get their cards and are therefore unable to make bookings.
While they can book a cylinder at non-subsidised rates, nobody is willing to do it," said P Venkateshwar Rao, state president, LPG Dealers Association.
Surprisingly, Sunil Sharma, commissioner (civil supplies), reiterated that Aadhaar card is a must for LPG subsidy. "Right now, only Aadhaar card holders are getting the subsidy and we are following the directions given by the central government. We may get further information on the matter in a few days," said Sharma.