Moily launches LPG cash transfer scheme

The subsidy on LPG cylinders would be provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar-linked or Unique Identification Number (UID) bank accounts. Tumkur (Karnataka) (IANS): The Central government's scheme to provide direct cash benefit to the poor for cooking gas got off in 18 districts across the country on Saturday with its formal launch by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M Veerappa Moily here.

Called the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), the scheme would benefit over 6.7 million LPG Consumers in these districts. The subsidy on LPG cylinders would be provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar-linked or Unique Identification Number (UID) bank accounts. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Chairman Nandan Nilekani were present at the function held in this town, about 70 km from Bangalore. Those who have to benefit from the scheme but not linked their bank accounts to their Aadhaar number would have to do so in three months. After September 1, they would not get subsidy if the linkage has not been completed. The scheme has been launched as it is expected to save millions of rupees in subsidy for the Central government.

Chavan in Wardha Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Saturday launched the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme in neighbouring Wardha district, about 80 km from here. Under the scheme, subsidy on nine LPG cylinders per year will be directly deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. According to officials, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the scheme in 18 districts across the country and the move is expected to curb wastage and leakages in the subsidy delivery system and improve its efficiency. Wardha is among the districts in the country chosen by the Centre for the subsidy since the Aadhar card enrolment in Maharashtra was the highest in Wardha, officials said. Besides Wardha, the scheme has been simultaneously launched in Anantpur, Chitoor, East Godavari, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy (in Andhra Pradesh), Diu (Daman and Diu), North Goa (Goa), Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Tumkur (all Himachal Pradesh), Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Pondicherry (Pondicherry), SBS Nagar, Nawansahar (both Punjab), East Nimar (Khandwa) and Harda (both Madhya Pradesh), they said.