The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that Government of India has re-launched Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG consumer (DBTL) scheme called, 'PAHAL', in 54 districts of the country on 15.11.2014 and in remaining districts of the country on 1st January, 2015. As on 05.03.2015, 11.89 Crore active LPG consumers had joined the scheme.
LPG consumers who join the PAHAL scheme, will get the LPG cylinders at market price and receive LPG subsidy ( as per their entitlement) directly into their bank accounts. All domestic LPG consumers have been given two alternatives in the scheme. If LPG consumer has Aadhaar number, he/ she will have to link it to his/ her LPG consumer number and bank account. Alternatively, he/ she can link his bank account directly to his LPG consumer ID.
All LPG consumers who have not joined the scheme, will be given a grace period of three months from the date of launch to join the scheme. During grace period such consumers will get LPG as per their entitlement at subsidized price. Additionally, a period of three months beyond grace period known as parking period is given to LPG consumers for joining the scheme. During parking period such consumers will get cylinders as per their entitlement at market price and subsidy will be kept parked with OMCs. This parked subsidy would be released as soon as consumer joins the scheme. However, if a consumer joins the scheme after parking period, the parked subsidy would lapse and consumer will get subsidy from prospective date only.
Moreover, following measures have been taken for convenience of the consumers :-
1. A unified form has been developed for the consumers to join the scheme covering Aadhaar and Bank mode.
2. Multi-lingual SMSs are being sent to the consumers at every stage of joining the scheme
3. A portal has been developed wherein apart from other LPG related services, the consumers can join PAHAL and see the status of the same.
4. Consumer can check which bank account number has been linked to his/her Aadhaar number by dialing *99*99# from his mobile
5. Grievance redressal system has been strengthened in order to cater to the complaints received from the LPG consumers. In this regard a dedicated Grievance Redressal form has also been developed that can be filled and submitted at the distributorship.
6. A toll free number 18002333555 is in operation for registering and resolving complaints of consumers.
RC/Rk
LPG consumers who join the PAHAL scheme, will get the LPG cylinders at market price and receive LPG subsidy ( as per their entitlement) directly into their bank accounts. All domestic LPG consumers have been given two alternatives in the scheme. If LPG consumer has Aadhaar number, he/ she will have to link it to his/ her LPG consumer number and bank account. Alternatively, he/ she can link his bank account directly to his LPG consumer ID.
All LPG consumers who have not joined the scheme, will be given a grace period of three months from the date of launch to join the scheme. During grace period such consumers will get LPG as per their entitlement at subsidized price. Additionally, a period of three months beyond grace period known as parking period is given to LPG consumers for joining the scheme. During parking period such consumers will get cylinders as per their entitlement at market price and subsidy will be kept parked with OMCs. This parked subsidy would be released as soon as consumer joins the scheme. However, if a consumer joins the scheme after parking period, the parked subsidy would lapse and consumer will get subsidy from prospective date only.
Moreover, following measures have been taken for convenience of the consumers :-
1. A unified form has been developed for the consumers to join the scheme covering Aadhaar and Bank mode.
2. Multi-lingual SMSs are being sent to the consumers at every stage of joining the scheme
3. A portal has been developed wherein apart from other LPG related services, the consumers can join PAHAL and see the status of the same.
4. Consumer can check which bank account number has been linked to his/her Aadhaar number by dialing *99*99# from his mobile
5. Grievance redressal system has been strengthened in order to cater to the complaints received from the LPG consumers. In this regard a dedicated Grievance Redressal form has also been developed that can be filled and submitted at the distributorship.
6. A toll free number 18002333555 is in operation for registering and resolving complaints of consumers.
RC/Rk
