7109 - Query service to track Aadhaar subsidies - Deccan Herald

Query service to track Aadhaar subsidies

Akram Mohammed, Mysuru, Dec 24, 2014, DHNS:

The system launched recently sorts out several issues

LPG distributors of the district are often pestered by consumers with complaints that their accounts have not been debited with subsidy amount, after buying a cylinder.

While agencies involved in Aadhaar based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) have no means to sort out these complaints, a query service aims to track the subsidies.

The National Unified USSD Platform Query Service on Aadhaar Mapper (QSAM), has been launched a few days ago by the National Payment Corporation of India and has helped consumers, say distributors.

The service cost is Rs 1.50. The service allows users to know whether an Aadhaar number is linked to a bank account and if the linked bank account has been updated. The service is accessible from all mobile phones, across all network providers.

According to Mehul Patel of Amardeep Gas Agency, in the city, distributors get such complaints on a daily basis. “About two per cent of consumers, who get LPG subsidies under DBT face this problem,” he said.

Quoting an instance, he said, a consumer had approached the agency, complaining that his subsidy amount has not been transferred to his account in the Syndicate Bank. After making use of QSAM, it was learnt that the subsidy was transferred to a different bank account, one which he had opened under Jan Dhan scheme at the State Bank of Mysore.

“As of now, the service only gives details on the city and the bank to which the subsidy amount has been transferred. We have requested the Petroleum Ministry to add features such as the name of the bank branch and account number,” he said.
LPG ID

He said, the transfer of subsidies to different accounts was due to the fact that people
open multiple accounts by providing the same Aadhaar numbers. “As a result, subsidy amounts are transferred to the most recent bank account to which Aadhaar is linked.

Consumers can avoid this problem by submitting their LPG IDs to the bank, where they want to avail subsidies,” he said.

Procedure to be followed

Step 1: Consumer should dial <*99*99#> on their mobile hand set and follow the prompt.
Step 2: Consumer will be prompted to enter the 12 digit Aadhaar number.
Step 3: The consumer will be prompted to confirm their Aadhaar number
Step 4: Following confirmation the following message will be displayed.
“Your Aadhaar Number <123456789012> is linked with last updated on ”