The Aadhaar- LPG linkage for subsidised LPG cylinders will soon be back in force. The Centre may implement a modified Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG scheme (DBTL) in November.
However, officials say they haven’t received any guidelines. But, they say the “linkage is imminent.” Meanwhile, LPG dealers are gearing up for the scheme.
District Supplies Officer (DSO) Sandhya Rani says the district has achieved 85 per cent Aadhaar linkage.
Opposition parties, including the CPI (M), however, dispute the government’s claims. “There are hundreds of people who haven’t received their Aaadhaar cards in the district. Neither their gas connections have been linked to the Aadhaar card or bank account,” says CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao. “Many haven’t received their UID though they have applied for Aadhaar cards,” he adds.
Consumers are facing hardship, thanks to lapses on the government front. They have to pay not less than Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,300 if they have no Aadhaar linkage with banks and gas agencies.
Krishna District LPG Dealers Association vice-president Nimmagadda Subba Rao says the linkage is 65 to 80 per cent in the district. In rural areas, it is 65 per cent, while it is 80 per cent in urban areas. “There shouldn’t be any problem even if DTBL is implemented,” he feels.
The scheme had failed to take off in the desired manner a year ago owing to poor bank linkage. Bankers also did not evince interest in customers opening zero balance accounts. “Now that the Centre has introduced the Jandhan Yojana scheme, people can open bank accounts under it,” Mr. Rao says.
