Andhra Pradesh government to pilot free LPG cylinder scheme under Direct Beneficiary Transfer in two districts
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The govt has decided to roll out the scheme across the state only after studying the results of the pilot project. The decision to move to DBT system has been taken following the chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's directive.
The state govt launched a free LPG cylinders programme last November. The govt promised to give one cylinder free of cost in each quarter in a financial year. The scheme is applicable to all the BPL card holders.
As per the existing guidelines of the scheme, the consumers need not to pay the cost of the cylinder to the distributor. The LPG distributors are supplying cylinders without taking any amount as the govt is remitting the amount to the oil companies.
The state govt signed an MoU with the oil companies to ensure the smooth supply of LPG cylinders with a promise to pay the total amount soon after the completion of the bookings each quarter.
The civil supplies and consumers affairs ministry, which acted as the nodal agency, felt that it is the best way of implementation of free cylinder scheme as it would be transparent. Similarly, the booking of refills are accepted only one per quarter, which is also helping the exchequer save huge amount even if some consumers failed to book the cylinders within the stipulated deadlines. The scheme is implemented in Dec-Mar, April-July, Aug-Nov period although it was launched in November.
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However, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu felt that LPG consumers were not feeling that the state govt is taking the financial burden of the free cylinders scheme. Based on a survey carried out through RTGS, the chief minister advised the civil supplies department to explore implementation of DBT so that the consumers could themselves pay the bill after getting the amount from the govt. "There is no point in taking such a huge burden without making the people feel that we have fulfilled the promise," said chief minister at a recent review meeting.
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