NOW, AADHAAR MANDATORY FOR BPL FAMILIES TO GET FREE LPG

The government has made Aadhaar card mandatory for poor women to avail of free cooking gas (LPG) connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

“Individual beneficiary desirous of availing the benefits under the scheme (PMUY) is hereby required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication,” said a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, announced in the Budget 2016, 5 crore LPG connections will be provided to BPL families over the next 3 years. ₹8,000 crore has been set aside for this scheme.

Those below poverty line (BPL) women looking to avail free LPG connection but do not have the Aadhaar number, have been asked to apply for it by May 31, 2017.

“...The use of Aadhaar as identity document for delivery of services or benefits or subsidies simplifies the Government delivery processes, brings in transparency and efficiency..” said the government notification.

Sources in the oil ministry, the nodal authority for PMUY said that oil marketing companies will facilitate the process of Aadhaar application for the BPL families.

This move comes after the government last year mandated

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