Aadhar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG is yet to gain momentum in Tumkur district even after a month of its launch with only 8.67 per cent of LPG consumers getting subsidy transferred directly to their bank accounts.
There have been instances where people are yet to receive subsidy even after 18 days of refilling cylinder. The number of LPG consumers in the district is 2,58,175.
Of this, 66 per cent have linked their Aadhar number with LPG consumer number and 38 per cent have linked their Aadhar number with their bank accounts as on June 30.
LPG subsidy has been transferred to 22,383 consumers till June 30.
According to the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Indian Oil Corporation has 1,72,802 LPG consumers of which 1,16,830 have seeded their Aadhar number with LPG consumer number and 96,240 consumers have seeded their Aadhar number with their bank account number.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation has 34,686 LPG consumers of which 22,773 have linked their Aadhar number with LPG consumer number and 11,081 have linked their Aadhar number with their bank account number.
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation has 50,687 consumers of which 32,465 have linked their Aadhar number with LPG consumer number and 13,465 have linked their Aadhar number with their bank account number.
The market price of an LPG cylinder is Rs. 855.60 and the subsidy is Rs. 435. The consumer who has linked his Aadhar number with LPG consumer number and bank account number will get the subsidy directly transferred to his bank account. Those who have not completed the seeding will get their cylinders at the subsidised rate of Rs. 420 till August 31, 2013.
However, some LPG agencies are demanding that the consumers pay the market price to buy their cylinders.
A customer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Shivaramu of SIT Extension in Tumkur, told The Hindu , “I have not received LPG subsidy even 18 days after buying my cylinder.” He said that he has completed seeding and he bought a refill at the market price on June 14.
Devendra M.R. of Kyatsandra said, “I have not yet linked my Aadhar number with my bank account number but the LPG distributor said that the subsidy amount has been deposited into my account.”
A minimum balance of Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 has to be maintained in bank accounts to get LPG subsidy. People from the lower middle class are finding it difficult to ensure this.
Jayamma of Upparahalli said, “I work as a housemaid and it is difficult for me to maintain a balance of Rs. 500 in my bank account to receive LPG subsidy.”
Meanwhile, people are complaining that they cannot open bank accounts easily as they have to stand in long queues to even get an application. They are told to come after 10 days to open their accounts, as banks open only 25 accounts per day.
Many are struggling to get enrolled for Aadhar as the district has only 23 registration centres.
Chief Manager, Lead Bank, Jayaramaiah said, “I have instructed all banks to open accounts for LPG consumers on top priority.”
