B B Nayak, TNN | Feb 18, 2015, 02.07AM IST
THANE: District collector Ashwini Joshi has asked gas dealers and banks to complete the process of linking Aadhaar cards to gas consumer numbers within the next 15 days in order to extend the direct benefit transfer on LPG to consumer. Consumers have been asked to come forward and get themselves included.
Joshi has also warned gas consumers that they would be deprived of subsidized cylinders if they failed to get their Aadhaar cards linked with the gas number. Thane district has over 17.21 lakh consumers who use cylinders, out of these 11.43 lakh have got linked under the direct benefit scheme.
Joshi also held a review meeting with representatives of state-owned oil companies and bankers in order to acquire cent percent results. ''So far, 11.43 lakh consumers have been linked to the scheme and they have already started reaping its benefits. Those unwilling to provide the bank with their Aadhaar number will be deprived of the benefits,'' said Joshi.
The ambitious scheme harps of giving cash subsidy on cooking gas to consumers, making it the world's largest direct benefit transfer. This began in November, last year. According to the scheme, a cash subsidy is paid to consumers so that they can buy cooking gas at the market price. Currently, a subsidized LPG cylinder costs Rs 451 per 14.2 kg, while the market price is Rs 752.