PTI
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 15
The government made it clear on Monday 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.
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.
100 mn Aadhaar numbers
linked to bank accounts: UIDAI
IANS
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 15
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Monday said 10 crore (100 million) Aadhaar numbers have so far been linked to bank accounts.
"A major milestone in government's digital India mission has been crossed with 10 crore Aadhaar numbers having been linked to bank accounts of the holders, enabling these individuals to digitally receive government welfare subsidies and other payments directly into their bank accounts," an UIDAI statement said Monday.
Linking an Aadhaar number with a bank account makes it easy for the government to identify genuine beneficiaries and make welfare payments and subsidies directly into their bank accounts, it said.
Issuance of Aadhaars crossed 720 million as on Dec 12, it said, adding that over 100 million Aadhaar numbers have been generated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.
This system is portable across any bank in the country and the beneficiaries can access these subsidies even if they move to another part of the country.
As many as 333 banks are live on Aadhaar platform using Aadhaar payment bridge for financial transactions, the statement said.
The Aadhaar identity platform is the largest biometric database in the world and users availing benefits range from LPG consumers, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme workers, public distribution system, remittance and scholarship beneficiaries, among others.
To link Aadhaar numbers to their bank accounts, residents need to provide a copy of their Aadhaar letter or e-Aadhaar to the bank branch in which they maintain their accounts.
Residents can check status of the Aadhaar-bank account linkage by dialling *99*99# on their mobile phone. This facility is provided by National Payments Corporation of India at a cost of Rs.1.50 per enquiry, it added.
