PAHAL Scheme: Objectives, Features & Eligibility

source : business standard

According to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water study, over 70% of Indians utilise LPG as the primary cooking fuel, and around 85% own LPG connections. However, the remaining population still depends on traditional fuels to meet their daily cooking requirements. To make LPG more accessible for the Indian populace, the Indian Government introduced the Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PAHAL) scheme in 2013.

If you are curious to know more about this scheme, keep scrolling as this blog will guide you about essential aspects that you must learn to avail the benefits of this scheme.

The PAHAL scheme is related to this Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL). It aims to benefit LPG consumers by directly transferring the subsidy amount to their respective bank account so that consumers can access affordable LPG connections without hassles.

Therefore, those who are searching for "what is DBTL scheme?" on the internet must have got an answer.

Here are some of the objectives of this PAHAL (DBTL) scheme mentioned below:

• Remove incentive for diversion and improve service quality rendered to consumers.
• Assure the subsidy payment to the user's bank account and protect entitlement.
• Improve the availability of LPG cylinders among genuine consumers.
• It offers self-selection in subsidies, which means this scheme will be available to those users who have opted for it.
• It eliminates duplicate LPG connections.

Illustrated below are some of the notable features of this scheme; take a look:

1. Applicants need to have a bank account to transfer the subsidy amount directly to the given bank account.

2. The LPG cylinder will be available at a market price and the subsidy paid to a bank account, avoiding multiple LPG connection pricing.

3. The Government will transfer a one-time advance to a bank account, approximately ₹568. It will be available before purchasing the first cylinder from the market.

4. The subsidy amount depends on how many subsidised cylinders a user is eligible to receive in a given year.

5. Customers can either link their bank account directly or their Aadhaar card number to a gas connection.

6. If users do not need the subsidy, they can voluntarily opt-out from this scheme and the amount saved will be utilised to meet other means.

7. Customers can register through their mobile number with a gas agency to receive notifications about this scheme via SMS.

8. It eliminates third-party intermediaries, and each user will have one gas connection which eradicates multiple gas connections in every Indian household.

9. It enables gas agencies to keep a record of their consumers, improving the service quality.

LPG users and their spouses who do not earn a taxable income above ₹10,00,000 in the previous financial year according to the Income Tax Act of 1961 can qualify to apply for this scheme.

Applicants can join the PAHAL scheme online in two following ways-

Linking Aadhaar Card with Bank Account

Download Form 1 from the official portal of PAHAL. Individuals without internet access can collect the same from a gas distributor. Fill in the required details such as name, bank account number etc. Submit this duly filled form to the LPG distributor or respective bank.

Following this procedure, applicants must fill in Form 2 to link their Aadhaar number with an LPG connection. Individuals can complete this process online via the UIDAI official website. Alternatively, they can submit the duly filled form and the Aadhaar card pasted on it to the respective LPG distributor. Applicants can also register for this scheme by utilising the IVRS or SMS facility.

Without Linking Aadhaar Card

If users do not own an Aadhaar card, they can register through their savings account using Form 3 or Form 4. Provide bank account details, including IFSC code, account holder's name, account number, etc., in the form. Or else, ask the bank to link the bank account with a gas connection to receive the subsidy directly.

Submit the following relevant documents to join this scheme without hassles:

Form 1 -  Submit a copy of Aadhaar letter to the LPG distributor or bank

Form 2 - Aadhaar letter, in addition to residential proof, to be submitted to the LPG distributor

Form 3 -  A copy of a current refill slip consisting of a 17-digit LPG ID number

Form 4 - A copy of a bank passbook's front page and a cancelled cheque

Here is how applicants can check their joining status on the PAHAL scheme:

1. Check Joining Status

Applicants can check their joining status by logging in to the LPG company's portal (for example, IOC, BPC, etc.)  through www.myLPG.in. Select 'Check DBTL (CTC) status' and can view the status of BTC and ATC methods.

2. Check Linkage of Bank Account to Aadhaar Card

Individuals can check this via three following ways:

• Log in to the company portal   and check the status.
• Give a call on OMC's toll-free number 18002333555.
• Alternatively, dial *99*99# and follow instructions.

Apply for this scheme to avail of some of the following benefits:

1. This scheme eliminates diversion, improves service quality and reduces customer grievances.

2. It enables OMCs to conduct public auditing of subsidies, and it also allows them to emphasise relationship management with consumers.

3. Individuals without an Aadhaar card cannot join this scheme, motivating willing candidates to open a bank account, ultimately promoting a cashless economy.

Thus, consider these pointers before applying for the PAHAL scheme. Additionally, check the official website for more information about this scheme.