Many hassles in DBTL scheme

Gas agencies turn away consumers for lack of Aadhaar cards

December 21, 2014 02:25 am | Updated 02:25 am IST - CHENNAI:

The scheme gives consumers the option to link their bank accounts to their LPG IDs through Aadhaar, for subsidy. Photo: M. Prabhu

The scheme gives consumers the option to link their bank accounts to their LPG IDs through Aadhaar, for subsidy. Photo: M. Prabhu

Several LPG consumers are finding it difficult to register for the modified direct benefit transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme, as some gas agencies are turning them away for lack of Aadhaar cards.

Chandra, a resident of West Mambalam, said her agency told her to come back with the card. “Even when I told them I didn’t need Aadhaar, the agency turned me away,” she said.

Similarly, V. Kausalya of Thoraipakkam, who can only sign her name, said the agency had said they could not fill up the application for her. “They asked for the Aadhaar card, but I am yet to get it,” she said.

Though the initial panic among consumers to register for the scheme has subsided, gas agencies continue to witness long queues. R. Sampath of Adambakkam said he had paid four visits to his agency, but was yet to get the work done. “The first time, when I took the applications to the agency, they wanted a photocopy of the bank passbook. After that, the crowds haven’t thinned,” he said.

Meanwhile, those who are linking their accounts online say there are glitches. C.S. Vikgnesh Kumar of Periyar Nagar said he was yet to get confirmation of the linking.

Sources in Indian Oil Corporation said that they were ironing out kinks. “We have simplified procedures so that customers will not be put to trouble. We are holding special camps in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram. More will follow. Customers need not panic as there is still time. Subsidised gas will be supplied till March-end,” said a source.

On Sunday, special camps will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tiruvallur Cooperative Mahal Kolathur; Selvam Mahal, Minjur; Chennai Middle School, Semiamman Koil Street, Tondiarpet; Sparton School, Tiruvalluvar Salai, Anna Nagar; Sri Sai Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Pallipattu; Ellappanaidu Pettai Village School, Tiruvallur district; Government School, Meiyur Village, Tiruvallur district; KPK Rathnabai Tirumana Mahal, Kancheepuram; Pallavapuram Higher Secondary School, Kilkattalai; SDA Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kancheepuram High Road, Chengalpattu; Panchayat Board Office, Ottivakkam; and PRR Kalyana Mandapam, Porur.

LPG agency fined

The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Chengalpattu, has slapped a fine of Rs. 10, 000 on an LPG agency in Chengalpattu for deficiency in service. According to the forum’s order, the complainant, C.N. Govindarajan, was treated badly by the agency, which was reprimanded for similar reasons in 2004.

(With additional reporting by V. Venkatasubramanian)

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