CHENNAI: Some LPG distributors in Chennai are asking consumers, who have Aadhaar cards, to submit the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Forms 1 or 2 to the delivery boys. However, consumers are uncomfortable with the arrangement.
“The DBTL registration forms have an acknowledgement slip attached to them in which the LPG distributor has to sign and affix the seal. Are the cylinder delivery boys the authorised persons to sign the slips? Will this be accepted as legal document,” questioned Soundaravalli, a consumer from Virugambakkam. Also the delivery boys do not carry the gas agency’s seal with them.
“In case we handover the forms to the cylinder delivery boys without receiving the acknowledgment slip, what is the guarantee that the DBTL form would actually be submitted to the LPG distributor’s office by the boys,” asked a hassled Ravindran, another consumer.
Also consumers who do not have an Aadhaar card are finding it difficult to identity a bank that would accept Form 3. “I have a savings bank account with SBI but the staff there refused to accept the Form 3 given by my Bharatgas agency saying they were not enlisted for the purpose. Later when I checked www.mylpg.in I discovered that what the staff said was right,” said Abhinav.
Only 12 banks figure in the list of approved banks to receive Form 3 under “Method 2” of the procedure for DBTL registration notified by the Petroleum Ministry. And State Bank of India does not figure in this list. On the other hand, those with an Aadhaar card can link the DBTL application to the State Bank of India.
“How many consumers are even aware of the existence of the website www.mylpg.in or are digitally literate to browse the Internet and identify banks which would receive Form 3,” asked a consumer activist. Also consumers like Antony, who had registered online, found to their surprise that they were again being asked to fill applications and submit them to the LPG distributor.