How will subsidy be credited, ask people Deja vu

The DTCS scheme has been giving anxious moments to consumers from middle and lower income groups. There is no clarity on when the subsidy amount would be credited directly into the bank accounts of the consumers.

According to gas agencies, the consumers have to purchase the cylinder at the market price of nearly `900. The subsidy amount of `460 will be credited by the OMCs to their bank account later.

However, the middle and lower income group consumers want the subsidy amount to be credited immediately after the booking of a cylinder or prior to the delivery of cylinder at home. Most people from these sections feel they cannot afford to pay `900 at the time of delivery and then Many fear that subsidy payment arrears may mount with each passing month like in case of several other government schemes. wait for the OMCs to credit the subsidy amount.

“It will be difficult for people from lower income groups to purchase cylinders at `900. For some, even paying the existing `412 is difficult. They often borrow money from neighbours or friends to pay the gas delivery boys. There have been several instances of the delivery boys taking the cylinders back without delivering them, as the consumers had failed to pay the full amount,” said P. Mallesham, who works as a lift boy at a government office and stays in a slum at Musheerabad.