Christin Mathew Philip, TNN | Mar 18, 2015, 03.05AM IST
CHENNAI: A day after the Supreme Court reiterated its 2013 order that Aadhaar should not be mandatory for availing government benefits, including subsidies, many LPG consumers complain that dealers continue to insist on the numbers to get subsidy.
LPG customers without Aadhaar numbers may have to submit forms 3 and 4 to register in the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) scheme that is renamed Pahal. "I further confirm that I do not have an Aadhaar number as on date. As soon as I receive the Aadhaar number, I will link the same to my above bank account and the LPG distributor," the form 4 reads.
This, say many consumers, is in violation of the apex court order. " Why are they insisting on linking Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts though the Supreme Court has said it is not mandatory?" said Anupa Koshy of Thiruvanmiyur. She said dealers were denying refills to those not enrolled under Pahal.
Sources say 87% of consumers in TN have become Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC) — meaning they have joined Pahal. In Chennai, 85% are eligible to receive subsidies under it.
"The enrolment under the subsidy scheme has increased after the supply of refills to the unregistered customers was stopped," said an oil company official.
On distributors demanding Aadhaar numbers for subsidies, he said form 4 would be replaced by a unified form that will not insist on the number. "We have insisted Aadhaar numbers to eliminate multiple connections because linking of bank account number and LPG consumer number will not help us dentify the customers who have different connections. But we can detect such customer if they link their Aadhaar number with their bank account and their LPG consumer number". He said they had so far cancelled 3.05 lakh multiple connections across TN.
Sources say backlog of LPG distribution in the city has increased from three to 15 days. The waiting list for new LPG connections in TN increased to 10,660 due to dealers being busy with Pahal.
LPG dealers confirmed there is delay in delivering cylinders to consumers in time as they have been told to get Pahal forms filled up before distribution is done. "We delivered only a few cylinders in February as most distributors were busy with Pahal," said
Officials said those not enrolled would get cylinders at market prices till June (parking period) and the subsidy transferred to their account after enrolment. Those not enrolled till June will have to purchase cylinders at market prices from July and will not be eligible for any subsidy. In Chennai, a subsidized 14.2kg domestic cylinder costs Rs 404.50 and an unsubsidized one Rs 605.50.
