New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) Government today made it clear that Aadhaar number
was not mandatory for transfer of subsidy amount of LPG cylinder and the option of providing a bank account is also
available under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL).
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed Lok Sabha that
under the DBTL, the LPG consumers joining this scheme get all domestic LPG
cylinders (subsidised as well as non- subsidised cylinder) at market price and
subsidy amount as applicable for each domestic subsidised cylinder is
transferred to their bank account.
Pradhan
said during Question Hour that a one-time advance in addition to the cash
subsidy admissible is also provided to each LPG consumer joining the scheme.
This is to fund the first cylinder purchased at market price.
Subsidy is separately admissible on every cylinder, including
the first cylinder.
The Minister said consumers have two options for availing subsidy under the
scheme. Wherever Aadhaar number is available, it will remain the medium of cash
transfer. Thus, an LPG consumer who has an Aadhaar number has to link it to the
bank account number and to the LPG consumer number.
“If the LPG consumer does not have an Aadhaar number, he can
directly receive subsidy in his bank account without the use of Aadhaar number.
This option which has now been introduced in the modified scheme ensures that LPG subsidy is not
denied to an LPG consumer on account of lack of Aadhaar number,” he said.
Pradhan
said all LPG consumers have a grace period of three months from the date of
launch of DBTL in the district, during which all those who have not yet joined
the scheme would continue to get subsidised cylinders as per their entitlement.
After the end of grace period, an additional parking period of
three months is given to such consumers during which the subsidy entitlement
will be parked and will be transferred to consumer’s bank account on joining
the scheme during this period.
The minister said in case a consumer does not join the scheme during the
parking period, the parked funds will lapse and consumer shall become
ineligible to receive the funds so parked.
Thereafter,
the sale of cylinders will continue at market determined price till consumer
joins the scheme. When such consumers join scheme after the lapse of parking
period, they will prospectively receive advance or subsidy as per their
entitlement, he said.
PTI