What is PAHAL?
The world’s largest cash subsidy under
the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme was re-launched by the Union
Government in November 2014 in 54 districts and is extended all over the
country with effect from January 1, 2015. The scheme was launched for
the consumers of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). The modified scheme is
referred to as Pratyaksh Hanstantarit Labh or PAHAL DBTL (Direct Benefit
Transfer of LPG).
The PAHAL DBTL ambitious scheme was earlier launched on June 1, 2013 by the previous Government
Under the previous scheme, it was
mandatory to have the Aadhar number for all consumers who want to
receive the LPG subsidy. However, this was a big problem for consumers
who did not have the Aadhar card, which meant that they could not avail
the subsidy.
However, the new scheme has made
available the LPG subsidy to all consumers. Under the modified scheme,
the consumers who use LPG can now receive subsidy in his bank account
under two options. Such a consumer who joins the scheme will be called
Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC) and he can receive subsidy in the bank
account.
Advantages of PAHAL
- For LPG consumers: All consumers using LPG cylinders will get cash subsidy to buy 12 14.2-kg cylinders or 34 5-kg refills. The amount of money which is equal to the difference between the present subsidised rate and the market price is automatically transferred to the bank account of the consumer, when he or she makes the first booking for a cylinder. However, this is possible only after joining the scheme. When the consumer takes the delivery of the cylinder, another advance subsidy is transferred to the bank account.
- For Government: This scheme will reduce or prevent the unauthorised sale of LPG cylinders at higher rates. The purchase of multiple gas connections will be prevented. Accordingly, the subsidy burden for the Government will be reduced.
- For oil marketing companies (OMC): The LPG gas distributors won’t have much burden of sending the cylinders to the intermediate gas suppliers. They will be in direct contact with their consumers, thereby building a good customer relationship. Multiple unauthorized connections won’t be provided. The OMCs will be able to ensure that the consumers receive the LPG gas at one fixed rate and do not have to stand in long queues if they had made the booking well in advance.
0 comments
Post a Comment