The Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme, launched in 18 districts on 1.6.2013, has thus far been a great success with more than 1 million (10 lakh) direct cash transfers to consumers’ bank accounts. A sum of Rs. 41 Crore has been transferred in the hands of LPG Consumers in these districts.
Government of India launched Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme in 18 high Aadhaar coverage districts benefitting 67 lakh consumers. The scheme aims to curb leakages and prevent black-marketing and provide subsidy to consumers in their bank accounts. In these 18 districts the subsidy on LPG cylinders is being provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar linked bank accounts.
As per the scheme all Aadhaar linked domestic LPG consumers are getting an advance in their bank account (6 lakhs transactions so far) as soon as they book their first subsidized cylinder, before delivery. On the delivery of the first subsidized cylinder, the next subsidy (4 lakhs transactions so far) again gets transferred in their bank account, which is available for the purchase of next subsidized cylinder at market rate.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of Finance (MOF) and UIDAI have taken several initiatives to make the processes simpler and to expand the reach of DBTL to all LPG consumers. The MoPNG along with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Banks have undertaken multipronged efforts to educate the consumers to link their Aadhaar numbers to LPG consumer number and in bank account. Following steps have been taken to increase Aadhaar seeding in LPG and Banks:
- Advertisements released in leading dailies on 13th and 14th June, 2013.
- Drop boxes to collect Bank-Aadhaar linking forms are placed at all distributorships/ROs. (total of 1,99,029 forms collected and handed over to Lead District Managers for Banks)
- Bank-Aadhaar linking forms being distributed to customers who have not yet linked Aadhaar to their bank accounts.
- Delivery Boys are informing customers about need for Aadhaar linking while delivering refills.
- Showroom staff are informing customers while receiving booking for refills
- Cash Memos are being stamped to communicate need for Aadhaar linkage to get subsidy in bank account.
After the end of grace period i.e. w.e.f. 01.09.2013, LPG cylinders will be sold to all domestic LPG consumers at market price. However, the subsidy will be transferred to only those who have linked Aadhaar number to LPG consumer number and Bank account and others will not get any subsidy.
Further, to help the LPG consumers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have provided the facility on their websites to check whether the Aadhaar number has been linked to LPG consumer number/bank account. LPG consumers can check their Aadhaar number linking status at following website link:
http://petroleum.nic.in/dbtl/linkstatus.html
The details of LPG transparency portals of all 3 OMCs are provided below:
HP Gas:
http://dcmstransparency.hpcl.co.in/TransparencyPortal/Transparency/Transparency.aspx
Bharat Gas:
http://www.ebharatgas.com/ebgas/CC_include/Transparency_portal_new.jsp
Indane Gas:
https://spandan.indianoil.co.in/transparency/
For feedback and for registering any complaint, customers can call on the Toll free number 18002333555 or visit websites www.indane.co.in, www.ebharatgas.com or www.hpgas.com.