TIRUPUR: With the deadline for registration under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) Scheme fast approaching, consumers queuing up in large numbers at banks branches and gas agencies have come across a new problem to deal with: addresses difference in bank account, Aadhaar card and LPG consumer book.
A consumer from the district, Subburaj, who approached a bank branch for linking his Aadhaar number with his account, was told by that his address on the Aadhaar card is not the same with the bank account. “I had to change the address of my bank account before linking the Aadhaar number,” he said.
Similarly, differences in the name on the LPG consumer book and the Aadhaar card have also created confusion and the public are often made to run from pillar to post to resolve the issue. Some consumers were asked to change the address according to the Aadhaar card, which is considered as the base identity and address proof for getting the subsidy.
Express spoke to Indane officials in Chennai on whether the system would reject such applications where the names matched but not the addresses.
“Yes, the system will accept this, as only the name needs to match. The system will not take the address into account. Gas agencies should not reject such applications,” said Vaidehi Vasanthan, senior manager-LPG, at Indian Oil Corporation.
Another Indane official pointed out that the address would be different in Aadhar cards for a large section of the population, as there were many who had transferable jobs. “This is why the LPG account is being linked to the Aadhaar number which is a unique number based code for each person,” he said.
However, gas agencies would need an address proof of the current address at which the LPG cylinder is being delivered. “This is to prevent those who have registered more than one connection at the same address, which is unlawful,” she said.
Due to lack of information, many consumers are under the impression that opening an account under Jan Dhan Yojana scheme is mandatory for DBTL scheme. “Some consumers approached us for opening new accounts under the JDY scheme in order to link with DBTL even though they already have a bank account. After clarification, they were advised to use the existing account for the DBTL scheme,” said a bank official.
Similarly, consumers are in a tearing rush, being unaware of the deadline for linking Aadhaar card and bank account details with the gas agencies. P Ranganathan, manager of a private gas agency under Bharat Gas, said, “The consumers have three more months to complete the process. However, we have been receiving a huge crowd everyday since the scheme was announced. They can register their bank account details with or without Aadhaar card. They should attach the photo copy of first page of the LPG consumer book or receipt of last delivered LPG cylinder.”
Speaking on the issue, the lead district manager, V Ganeshan, said, “As many 276 nationalised and private banks were allocated specified areas in the district, based on local body wards, for survey under the PMJDY scheme. The bank branches should ensure that at least one person in a family have a bank account. They were told to complete the survey by December 10, 2015, to get the clear data and 15 days extended period would be given for opening new accounts under the scheme. JDY has nothing to do with the DBTL scheme.”
However, if the address differs from that given on the Aadhaar card, consumers should change the address of existing bank account before linking it for DBTL scheme, he added.
(with inputs from Siddharth Prabhakar)