LPG cash transfer scheme across India from today

Camps being set up at various banks, distributors to open bank accounts

The direct benefit transfer scheme for LPG (DBTL), under which the subsidy on cooking gas cylinders will be transferred directly to the bank account of the consumer, will come into effect across the country on Thursday.

Consumers who wish to join the scheme will have to link their Aadhaar number with their bank account and their LPG consumer number. If they do not possess Aadhaar number, they have to link their bank account directly with their 17-digit LPG ID.

Once a Consumer joins the scheme, he will get the cylinders at market price and will receive LPG subsidy directly through his bank account. A sum of Rs 568 will be paid in advance to the consumer, in the bank account, it added.

LPG consumers who do not wish to avail the subsidy for LPG cylinders can choose to opt out of subsidy.

Over 12,000 citizens have already voluntarily given up subsidy freeing up crores of subsidy amount for their less privileged brethren, the release said.

The DBTL scheme, renamed as PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) was rolled out in 54 districts last months. From Thursday, it will be extended to all the 676 districts of the country to cover over 15 crore consumers. More than 6.5 crore consumers have already joined the scheme under which they will get cash subsidy to buy twelve 14.2-kg cylinders or 34 five-kg refills.

“Camps are being set up at various banks and LPG distributors’ premises to enable consumers open bank account and enrol for Aadhaar if they need to do so to join the scheme,” the statement said.

So far, Rs 624 crore has been transferred to over 20 lakh LPG consumers since the launch of the scheme on November 15.

“The DBTL is designed to ensure that the benefit meant for the genuine domestic customers reaches them directly and is not diverted. By this process, public money will be saved,” the statement said.

A successful implementation of PAHAL will save the government Rs 10,000 crore towards subsidy outgo.

A subsidised 14.2 kg cooking gas cylinder costs Rs 417 while its market price is Rs 752 in Delhi. This price varies in different states depending on local taxes.

“To avail this feature (PAHAL), all LPG consumers are requested to register their mobile number with their distributor if they have not done so. They are also advised to receive cylinders only with cash memos to be assured of their subsidy transfer,” the statement said.