Bank a/c not linked, 15.54 lakh lose LPG subsidy in Haryana

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jind, July 3

Around 15.54 lakh LPG consumers in Haryana have become ineligible for subsidy from July 1. The reason: They have failed to get their bank accounts linked with their LPG connections before the June 30 deadline.

The interlinking of these accounts is a must to get subsidy under the direct benefit transfer scheme.

The total number of LPG consumers in Haryana is around 45.71 lakh, but only around 30.13 lakh (66%) have got their bank accounts linked with their LPG connections.

The percentage of consumers who have got their bank accounts linked with their LPG connections is the maximum in case of Ambala (83%). It is followed by Panchkula (79.68%), Sonepat (75.65%), Kurukshetra and Kaithal (both 72%).

Sources said most residents could not get their bank accounts linked with their LPG connections because of confusion and lack of information about the documents required for the purpose.

“Around 66% consumers are eligible for the subsidy, while the remaining 34% have become ineligible. Interlinking of the accounts is still on and all those who want to get subsidy must get their accounts interlinked,” said Jaipal Singh, Deputy Director, Food and Supply Department, Haryana.

After the implementation of the direct benefit transfer scheme in January 2015, consumers got three-month grace period (till March 2015) to get their accounts interlinked.

Consumers then got three more months as parking period. Those who failed to get their accounts interlinked by even June 30 would now have to buy cylinders at commercial rate.