A scheme mired in controversy

The cash transfer scheme has been mired in controversy ever since the UPA government tried to implement it. The scheme acquired political hues, and it was suspended in view of the general elections.

The government announced that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme had been suspended until a committee created to analyse the scheme, including administrative and technical difficulties, submitted its report.

CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Ro says people bought cylinders at market price a year ago, but the government failed to transfer the subsidy amount to bank accounts till date. “How can consumers believe the government’s tall promises of transferring the subsidy into bank accounts now?” he asks.

Gas dealers, however, point out that there were systemic problems in the implementation of the scheme.