Jan 02, 2015 | Age Correspondent |
In a bid to prevent theft, the state government will deposit cash subsidy to LPG consumers directly into their bank accounts beginning January 1, 2015.
Shweta Singhal, controller of rationing and director of civil supplies on Thursday told media persons, "Starting today, the government has launched a scheme called PAHAL where consumers will have to pay the full amount for cylinders at the time of buying and the cash equivalent of the difference between the current subsidised rate and the market price will be transferred directly into their bank accounts.”
The Aadhaar-based LPG subsidy, introduced during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, was challenged in the Supreme Court followed by a stay on implementation of the scheme. However, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government decided to continue with the project along with linking of subsidy-based schemes with the Aadhaar number.
Elaborating on the scheme, Ms Singhal said, "It was very difficult to keep a track on fake LPG users. Now, a person can avail of the subsidy only once and cannot have multiple fake gas connections with various agencies. This will save the government a lot of money meant for subsidy."
Linking of LPG to Aadhaar and bank accounts too has been reintroduced with effect from January 1, 2015, as announced by the Prime Minister. “Consumers who wish to join the scheme will have to either link their Aadhaar numbers with their bank accounts and LPG consumer numbers, else they will have to link their bank accounts directly with their 17-digit LPG identity in the event they do not possess Aadhaar numbers,” said Ms Singhal. "Consumers will need to fill out a small form that can be availed at their respective gas agencies and at ration offices. One copy of the form will have to be given to the gas agency while the other to the bank,” she said, adding that a three-month window would be left open for consumers to start availing of the facility.
At present, Mumbai city and suburban Mumbai have a total of 58.5 lakh LPG consumers while Thane has 17.5 lakh consumers. Of these, roughly 40 per cent have already submitted the forms, said Ms Singhal.