Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme

The Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme or the Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PAHAL) was launched on the 1st of July, 2011 by the Government of India and was significantly revised in 2015. Domestic LPG consumers are required to link their Aadhaar Number and Bank Accounts with their LPG Connection/ Consumer ID to avail the subsidy on domestic LPG cylinders.

The Scheme

The Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme aims to provide a direct subsidy amount on an LPG connection to consumers' bank accounts. Initially spanning 291 districts, the Scheme expanded to cover the entire nation by 2015, including over 15 Crore customers across 676 districts. The Government transfers the subsidised LPG cost to consumers through their Aadhaar Card or Bank Account.

Initially, the LPG subsidy was universally accessible with an Aadhaar. With the Government's Give It Up campaign, well-off citizens voluntarily surrendered their subsidies, saving funds to provide LPG connections for families below the poverty line. Families with a taxable income above INR 10 Lakhs are not eligible for the subsidy.

Objectives of the Scheme

The primary objectives of the Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme include:

Eliminating the incentive for LPG diversion.
Ensuring that subsidies reach the rightful consumers.
Eliminating fake or duplicate LPG connections.
Improving the availability and delivery of LPG cylinders to genuine consumers.
Encouraging voluntary self-selection for LPG subsidy.

Working of the Scheme

The DBTL Scheme is implemented by oil marketing companies (OMC) through their network of LPG distributors. A detailed consumer database including unique LPG ID, consumer details, and linked Aadhaar exists to facilitate the Scheme. On ordering, LPG cylinders are delivered to consumers at market prices, with proof of delivery uploaded to the central system.

Subsidy transfers are initiated through a notification to the sponsor bank and the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), allowing seamless credits to consumers' bank accounts. The OMC then claims the subsidy from the Government for reimbursement.

Options for DBT

Consumers can receive subsidies using two main methods:

Option 1: Aadhaar-enabled transfers require consumers to link their Aadhaar, bank account, and LPG Consumer Number. Such consumers are known as Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC).
Option 2: For consumers without Aadhaar, subsidies are credited based on bank account details submitted to the LPG distributor or the 17-digit LPG Consumer Number shared with the bank.

Already linked accounts need no additional application under the new options.

Permanent Advance

Consumers awaiting the LPG subsidy receive a one-time permanent advance credited to cover the initial month's subsidy cost. On crediting, a notification is sent to the registered mobile number linked to the LPG distributor account, underscoring the importance of maintaining updated information.

Linking Aadhaar to LPG Connection

Consumers can link their Aadhaar to LPG connections through prominent distributors like HP Gas, Bharatgas, and Indane via several methods:

Submission of Application Form to the Distributor

Download, complete, and submit the form from the respective LPG website.
Submit the application directly to the distributor or send it via post.

Via Call Centre

Link Aadhaar to the LPG connection by calling 18000-2333-555 for guidance through the process.

Via Post

Complete Form 2 from the LPG website, enclosing identity proof like a Driving Licence or Passport.
Send it to the respective LPG head office, as listed on the official website.

Via IVRS

Use the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) available for each district:

Indane Gas consumers

Find district-specific IVRS numbers on the Indane website.

Bharat Gas consumers

Access the IVRS contact number for your district on the Bharat Gas website.

HP consumers

Find the appropriate IVRS number on the HP website to follow the instructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG Scheme.

The Direct Benefits Transfer for LPG (DBTL) Scheme or Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PAHAL) is a government scheme where LPG consumers get the subsidy amount directly transferred to their bank accounts linked with their LPG connection and Aadhaar card. It aims to eliminate diversion of subsidies and ensure genuine consumers receive their entitled benefits.

Under the DBTL Scheme, LPG consumers purchase cylinders at market rates from distributors. The distributors then upload the transaction details to a central system. The oil marketing companies initiate the subsidy transfer to the consumer's bank account through the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). The government later reimburses the subsidy amount to the companies.

There are two options for receiving LPG subsidies under the DBTL Scheme. Option 1 is for consumers with an Aadhaar card, where they need to link their Aadhaar and bank account with their LPG connection. Option 2 is for those without an Aadhaar, where they can share their bank details with the distributor to receive the subsidy.

The permanent advance is a one-time amount credited to the consumer's account to cover the cost of the LPG subsidy for the initial month. This ensures that the consumer has sufficient funds to purchase the cylinder at the market rate until the subsidy amount is transferred.

You can link your Aadhaar card with your LPG connection in various ways, such as submitting an application form to the distributor, calling the call center, sending the form by post, or using the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) provided by the LPG companies.

Initially, it was mandatory to have an Aadhaar card to receive LPG subsidies under the DBTL Scheme. However, the government has now removed this restriction, allowing consumers without an Aadhaar card to receive subsidies by sharing their bank details with the distributor.

The "Give It Up" campaign was an initiative by the government to encourage well-off citizens who do not require LPG subsidies to voluntarily give up their entitlement. This allowed the government to use the saved funds to provide LPG connections to families below the poverty line in backward states.

Individuals or their spouses earning a taxable income of more than INR 10 lakhs per annum are not eligible for LPG subsidies under the DBTL Scheme.

The primary objectives of the DBTL Scheme include removing incentives for diversion of subsidies, protecting the entitlement of subsidies for genuine consumers, eliminating fake or duplicate LPG connections, improving LPG cylinder availability for consumers, and allowing self-selection for LPG subsidies.

The DBTL Scheme benefits consumers by ensuring that the LPG subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries directly, eliminating the possibility of diversion or leakage. It also improves the availability and delivery of LPG cylinders to genuine consumers while allowing them to self-select if they want to avail the subsidy or not.