New Delhi: LPG consumers in the national capital will receive cash subsidy directly into their Aadhar- linked bank accounts from January 1 next year.
"Delhi has nine districts. Delhi districts are coming on January 1, 2014 (under the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme)," Finance Minister P Chidamabaram said here on Thursday after the Cabinet meeting.
He said, "I am sure residents of Delhi will be very happy that it (DBT) is coming on January 1, 2014."
I&B Minister Manish Tewari added that there will be a three-month grace period for Delhi residents to get their bank accounts linked with Aadhar cards for deriving benefits of cash subsidy under the scheme.
After the success of its pilot programme in 20 districts, the scheme to pay LPG subsidy directly to cooking gas consumers will be extended to 269 districts by January 1.
Chidamabarm said the pilot project launched in 20 districts has helped remove double/duplicate and false LPG connections.
"Those who have false connections are not coming out to open bank accounts," he said, adding that the DBT scheme will help save 10 to 12 of the subsidy given by the government.
Pointing out towards the rich, he said a small segment will pay for unsubsidised LPG.
Under the scheme, Rs 435 is credited to the Aadhar-linked accounts of LPG consumers the moment they book a cooking gas refill or cylinder. The consumer is then supposed to use this to buy a 14.2-kg LPG cylinder at market price, which is almost double of Rs 410 per bottle rate in Delhi.
