LPG subsidy fiasco: Subsidy not credited
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 28 2017:
Complaints are on the rise from LPG consumers in the State whose bank accounts are yet to be credited with the subsidy amount for booking LPG cooking gas from distributors under Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at non-subsidised rates.
Most of the consumers claim that they have already procured cooking gas from the distributors at non subsidised rates but the subsidy amount have-not been deposited in their respective bank accounts.
They pointed out that they have already linked their Aadhaar cards, LPG ID and bank account information in order to avail the subsidies but their balance still remain unchanged.
According to an official of IOC's Imphal Divisional Retail Sales Office, the consumers have to make sure that their Aadhaar, LPG ID and bank account informations are linked properly in order to avoid any inconveniences.
He pointed out that if a consumer has not used his or her account for a period of six months, the account would become inactive and LPG subsidies would not be credited to such inactive accounts.
The official further explained that if a consumer has multiple bank accounts spread over different banks like State Bank of India (SBI) and UBI, the subsidy amount would be deposited to SBI account only, adding that not many consumers may be aware of this fact.
"Consumers must take care while linking the Aadhaar card, the 17 digit LPG ID and the bank account.
And consumers having multiple LPG connection, must have one primary connection and categorise the remaining as; secondary connections", he added. Urging the consumers to approach the IOC Imphal Office for their queries and complaints, the official pointed out that, from the total 3.32 lakhs LPG consumers present in the State, only 70 percent are Aadhaar linked.
LPG distributors in Manipur have eWallet facility through Paytm and Jiomoney.
POs facility is available in selected, distributors like RBD Indane, Misao Gas, Hrangchal, Bashikhong Indane, Sawombung Indane where debit and credit cards can be used.
"A consumer need to download the application and register' for availing the facility and a cash benefit of Rs 5 will be recieved by the LGP consumer for every refill delivery", he added.
He also stated that SMS and IVRS booking systems are also available with the distributors.