In West Bengal, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for LPG consumers will be implemented from January 1st by transferring the subsidy directly to consumers' bank account in three districts - Kolkata, Howrah and Cooch Behar.
According to media reports, consumers will have to pay the non-subsidised price (Rs 926) for all cylinders once the DBT is implemented. The Union Oil Ministry had earlier announced introduction of DBT in areas with 80 per cent Aadhaar penetration. But the government now has decided to run both the systems.
Aadhaar card holding consumers will receive DBT (once the consumer books a cylinder, the government credits the subsidy directly in the bank account) and those without Aadhaar will get subsidised cylinders.
There will be a three-month deadline for non-Aadhaar consumers, sources said Indian Oil. Till April 7, Howrah, Cooch Behar and Kolkata have only 18379, 7505 and 1339 Aadhaar card holders, respectively. Districts like Hooghly, South 24-Parganas and Murshidabad paint a better picture with 18379, 10297, 6959 Aadhaar holders, respectively.