Subhro Niyogi, TNN | Feb 26, 2015, 12.35AM IST
KOLKATA: Of the 93.23 lakh consumers in the state, one in every four is yet to register for Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL). This, however, is a huge improvement from the situation three months ago when only 5.8% consumers were registered.
On the other hand, if you have linked your Aadhaar card with the LPG connection but are still getting cylinders at a subsidized rate, it is because no bank account has been linked to it. More than 6 lakh customers are yet to receive the subsidy directly in their bank accounts despite filling in the necessary forms.
Speaking to TOI, an Indian Oil Corporation official said that of the 74% consumers in Bengal who had registered for DBTL, 46% had submitted their Aadhaar details. However, only 39.5% have so far been linked.
Some consumers complained that though they had submitted the necessary document (Form 1) at the bank, it had since been misplaced, leading to the problem in the linking. Others said that while the bank claimed the account had been linked to Aadhaar, the LPG dealer denied it.
The petroleum ministry has thus introduced a unified form. "Any consumer who has linked their Aadhaar to the gas connection and submitted the details to the bank but has not had the account linked can give the account details to the LPG dealer. Any technical glitch will be sorted out," the official said.
For some, not getting their connections linked to bank accounts may appear easier. Cylinders continue to be delivered at the subsidized rate to these homes while others have to shell out market price during cylinder delivery. This will, however, end on March 31. From April 1, every household will get cylinders delivered at market price. Only those who have linked their accounts, Aadhaar and gas connections will get the subsidy amount credited in their accounts.
"By the time the grace period expires on March 31, we expect more than 97-98% consumers to be registered. Those who fail to do so will not be penalized immediately. They will get three months more, during which the subsidy amount will be parked with oil companies and reimbursed to the account when DBTL registration and bank linkage is done. After June 30 though, consumers will not get any retrospect benefit. He or she can avail of the subsidy only on cylinders purchased after DBTL registration," the official said.