New Delhi: The direct transfer of cooking gas subsidy into the bank accounts of consumers was rolled out across 18 districts of the country from the beginning of this month, an official said yesterday.
While the direct benefit transfer (DBT) programme was formally launched in Tumkur district of Karnataka, the transfer began in 18 districts simultaneously on the midnight of June 1, an official said.
The districts where Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) subsidy through DBT has commenced are Anantapur, Chittor, East Godavari, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Diu, North Goa, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Tumkur, Pathanamthitta, Waynad, Wardha, Puducherry, Nawan Shehar, Khandwa and Harda.
These districts have almost six million LPG consumers. The introduction of DBT in two districts — Mysore in Karnataka and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh — was postponed because of the pre-poll model code of conduct in force there.
The system put in place is that all LPG consumers with an Aadhaar number and whose bank account is linked to their Aadhaar number would be given an advance amount of Rs.435 per cylinder booked, immediately on booking a cylinder.
This amount would be credited in their accounts. They would be supplied LPG cylinders at market price. The net effect on them is nil as their net cash outflow is equal to the subsidised price of an LPG cylinder, the official said.
Consumers who do not have Aadhaar-linked bank accounts still get LPG cylinders at subsidised rates. They have been given time to get their bank account linked to their Aadhaar number.
IANS
