Lucknow, UP, December 11th, 2014: Government of India has decided to implement Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme in LPG christened as PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantarit Labh) from 1st January, 2015 across the country, including the State Of Uttar Pradesh. In order to assess the preparedness of the State, Secretary MoPNG, Mr. Saurabh Chandra conducted a high level meeting in the State Secretariat in Lucknow on 10th December, 2014 along with Mr. Alok Ranjan, Chief Secretary, Government of U.P. The meeting was also attended by Mr. B Ashok, Chairman IndianOil, Mr. Alok Tripathi, Director (LPG), MOP&NG; Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, Deputy Director General, UIDAI; General Manager Bank Of Baroda & Convener SLBC, UP; Principal Secretary ( F&CS) , Government of UP, General Manager IOCL, Lucknow and other officials of State Government and Oil Marketing Companies.
The process of PAHAL was reiterated through a presentation for the benefit of State Government and Bank officials, in which it was advised that the scheme will be launched from 1st January, 2015 and for first 3 months( till 31st March 2015) customers will continue to receive the cylinders at subsidized price. However for those who have linked their AADHAAR Number or Bank account, the Advance subsidy will be credited to their bank account and as and when they buy LPG cylinders (at market price), the subsidy will be credited to their bank account. From 1st April 2015, the cylinders will be available only at market price for all customers. But for customers who have not linked their AADHAAR or bank account, the subsidy amount will be parked and will be released in case they link the AADHAAR/Bank account before 30th June 2015.
Secretary, MoP&NG specifically mentioned on the role of State Government in popularizing and implementing the scheme. Further it was emphasized that the Participation of banks is a prerequisite for increasing AADHAR and bank account seeding. Banks were also requested for providing separate counter for LPG consumers for hassle free seeding. Deputy Director General, UIDAI has explained the plan for setting up of more number of AADHAR camps for increasing AADHAR enrolments in the state.
State Government agreed for setting up committees at state as well as at district level for close monitoring of all activities related to 'PAHAL' (DBT) and Campaigns for educating customers will be intensified through state machinery.
Currently customers with AADHAAR cards can approach Distributors and Banks for linking their AADHAAR number. In case of bank account, the same can be linked with LPG distributors. OMCs have already set up stand alone "PAHAL Feeding Centers" at other than distributorship locations at various places in Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Allahabad since 7th December, 2014. Possibilities are being explored to set up more number of such "PAHAL Feeding Centers" in next 10 days.
The total time left for launching this scheme in U.P. is 20 days. In order to avoid last minute rush all customers are requested to link their AADHAAR or Bank account immediately. |
INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED 
