LPG subsidy even without Aadhaar, says Moily

Union Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday clarified that Aadhaar card was not mandatory to obtain subsidised cooking gas (LPG).

Speaking on the sidelines of the 150th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K M Cariappa here on Tuesday, he said the oil PSUs (public sector undertakings) had been directed to give subsidised LPG to even those customers who did not possess the unique identification number.

“As all do not have an Aadhaar card, the gas agencies have been directed to not create any trouble for non-card-holders. A decision in this regard was taken last week and a circular will soon be issued to all the agencies,” he said.

Moily said that due to the irregularities in the distribution of subsidised cooking gas, the government was incurring a loss of Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore. “Hence, certain steps are being taken to curb them,” he added.