Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme – report

Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme commences in Mandi today ; all 20 phase-I districts covered ; DBTL Scheme Hits another milestone; over 3 Million Transactions carried out

The Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme, which is being implemented in  high Aadhar enrolment districts, has commenced operations in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh from today. The Scheme could not be started in Mandi earlier due to Election code of conduct coming into force in Mandi. With this all 20 districts identified for 1^st Phase of  DBTL scheme  have been covered. Mysore (Karnataka) district was earlier covered w.e.f 1^st July 2013  after scheme was rolled out in 18 districts of the country on 1^st June 2013.

The scheme has continued it successful streak and reached another milestone with more than 3 million (30 lakh) direct cash transfers to consumers™ bank accounts. A sum of Rs. 138 Crore has been transferred in the hands of LPG Consumers in these districts.

Number of LPG Cash Transfers in 19 districts since 01.06.2013

(Million)

*The District-wise details are provided in the annexure.

Government of India had envisaged launch of Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) scheme in 20 high Aadhaar coverage districts   benefitting 73 lakh consumers (7.3 million). The scheme aims to curb leakages and prevent black-marketing and provide subsidy to consumers in their bank accounts.  In these  districts the subsidy on LPG cylinders is being provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar linked bank accounts.

So far 1.72 million Aadhaar linked domestic LPG consumers have got an advance in their bank account and on the delivery of the first subsidized cylinder, the next subsidy (1.68 million  transactions so far) have been 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.
• Drop boxes to collect Bank-Aadhaar linking forms  placed at all distributorships/ROs and handing 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.
• An Incentive scheme has been announced by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to encourage distributors to seed Aadhaar numbers in LPG database.

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.

A detailed review of the DBTL scheme was held by the  Minister (P&NG) on 16.7.2013 to review the implementation of the scheme. After the review it was decided that all stakeholders must act immediately to maximize Aadhaar seeding especially in Banks in the 20 districts.

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.

 Annexure 

District wise Cash Transactions