Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Aadhaar-based authentication under the PAHAL scheme for the direct benefit transfer of LPG subsidy has played a crucial role in identifying and blocking ghost accounts, multiple accounts, and inactive connections, thereby curbing the diversion of subsidised LPG for commercial use, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri informed Parliament on August 5. As of July 1 this year, as many as 4.08 crore duplicate, fake, and inactive LPG connections have been blocked, suspended, or deactivated, the minister said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Puri that Aadhaar-based authentication for DBT schemes enables accurate, real-time, and cost-effective identification, authentication, and de-duplication of beneficiaries, ensuring targeted delivery of benefits. The Government had directed public sector oil marketing companies to undertake and complete biometric Aadhaar authentication of PMUY and PAHAL beneficiaries. He said that focused efforts have been made to ensure that all consumers become Aadhaar Transfer Compliant. As of July 1, 92.44 per cent of active LPG consumers out of a total 33.05 crore have their Aadhaar seeded in the database of the oil companies. Around 86.78 per cent of the total 30.63 crore DBTL consumers are Aadhaar Transfer Compliant.
As of July 1 this year, biometric Aadhaar authentication has also been completed for 67 per cent of the existing PMUY beneficiaries. Further, all new PMUY consumers undergo biometric authentication before the release of connections, the Puri said. Puri further stated that the Government has introduced the Common LPG Database Platform through which duplicate connections are identified and removed from the LPG database. Deduplication is carried out using Aadhaar number, bank account details, AHL TIN, ration card details, name, and address as key parameters.
He pointed out that PAHAL enables the disbursement of targeted subsidy benefits to PMUY consumers. Multiple steps have been taken to ensure that these benefits reach the eligible and targeted beneficiaries efficiently and in a timely manner.
