Posted at: Dec 31 2014 1:29AM
People stand in queues to submit forms for availing cash subsidy on cooking gas under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG scheme in Jammu on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 30
Cooking agencies are busy dealing with the rush of people applying for cash subsidy under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL), due to which the distribution of LPG refills has been hit.
Residents said they were finding it difficult to book a refill as staff at gas agencies were not picking up phones.
Under a nationwide scheme, customers will directly receive subsidy amount in their bank account so that the money is in their account before gas reaches their homes.
For registration, consumers need a bank account to join the scheme and receive LPG subsidy. The consumers, who do not have Aadhaar Card number can also receive cash directly in their bank account. However, as and when they get the card they will have to shift to Aadhaar-based cash transfer.
“We know the DBTL scheme is for the benefit of people, but distributors should ensure that the supply is not affected. For the last two weeks, I am trying to book a refill but there is no response from the agency,” said Kuldeep Sharma, a resident of Old Janipur.
Many people complained that they had been asked to collect refill themselves or wait for days together, much to their inconvenience. “It is more problematic for old people, whose children are either living outside Jammu or are posted in other districts of the state,” said Suman Soni, a resident.
However, an Indian Oil distributor Rakesh Kumar said they had to deal with hundreds of people daily and due to shortage of staff, people faced problems. “We are trying to streamline things and efforts are being made to ensure customers get the supply,” he said.