Though the Centre has fixed June 1 for launching direct transfer of cash subsidy for LPG, the ground reality in Puducherry, one the districts selected for the scheme, is that banks may not be able to transfer cash subsidy for about 20 to 25 per cent of consumers in the initial stage.
As per official sources, 94 per cent of the residents in Puducherry have been given Aadhaar cards so far. As on Wednesday, out of 2,80,358 LPG customers, banks have completed the task of linking the numbers of about 1,45,000, which is about 48 percent, with their respective accounts.
The Civil Supplies Department has collected information on about 30 per cent of LPG consumers. The details will be sent to the respective banks through Indian Bank, which is coordinating the scheme, in a day or two.
It appears officials were finding it difficult to improve Aadhaar coverage due to various reasons. In spite of repeated reminders and special camps, about six per cent of LPG customers did not come for Aadhaar registration, as many of them went to France for employment.
V. Shantha, Zonal Manager, Indian Bank, told The Hindu that concerted efforts were taken to increase the coverage and the process of number linking process and cent per cent coverage would be achieved by June 1.
The sources added that those failing to produce Aadhaar number to the banks would not be able to get subsidy. They would have to pay the higher price for LPG cylinders.
