Big update on gas subsidy: Subsidy of those earning more than Rs 10 lakh will be cut! Is your name also not in the list?

New Delhi: The stir regarding LPG subsidy has once again intensified in the country. If you are also taking benefit of gas subsidy, then this news is very important for you. Government oil marketing companies (OMCs) have now started scrutinizing the earnings of subsidized customers. The government has a simple rule – if your or your spouse’s annual taxable income is more than Rs 10 lakh, then the subsidy you receive may stop.

Companies are now selectively sending warning messages to such customers. It is clearly being said in these messages that if the income is found to be more than the prescribed limit, the subsidy will be stopped permanently. Not only this, customers are being given only seven days to present their views. In such a situation, it is important to understand how all this mathematics works and who is entitled to this benefit.

After all, what is LPG subsidy and how do you get its benefit?

LPG subsidy is a scheme of the Central Government whose aim is to save the kitchen budget of the common man from getting spoiled. Under this system, you have to buy the cylinder at the actual market price, but the government sends the subsidy amount directly to your bank account. This is called ‘Direct Benefit Transfer’ (DBT). Mainly three big government companies in the country—Indane (Indian Oil), HP Gas and Bharat Gas—provide this facility to their customers.

Who will be entitled to subsidy and who will be excluded?

Some strict rules have been set to get subsidy. The first condition is that you must have a ‘domestic’ gas connection; No subsidy is available on commercial or industrial connections. After this comes the condition of ‘income’. According to the government, the combined annual taxable income of both husband and wife should be less than Rs 10 lakh. If your income is more than this, the government believes that you can buy cylinders even without subsidy.

Apart from this, to get subsidy, your gas connection is linked to bank account and [Aadhaar Redacted] It is mandatory to be linked to. Those who have voluntarily given up subsidy under the Prime Minister’s ‘Give It Up’ campaign will also not be given this benefit again.

New rule of delivery: Now it will be necessary to tell the code

Not only earning, oil companies have also implemented the new ‘DAC system’ to make cylinder delivery safe. Now when the delivery agent will bring the cylinder to your home, you will have to give a verification code (OTP) on his mobile. Without this code the delivery will not be considered complete. The government believes that this step will help in curbing black marketing and fake delivery of gas.