The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on fuel headed by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee gave in-principle approval to the recommendation of direct cash subsidy to the poor for kerosene, as suggested by a task force headed by Nandan Nilekani - Unique ID Authority Chairman, but it will launch the scheme only after consulting the state governments.
However, before giving the final structure, the central government will discuss the recommendation on direct subsidies with the state governments. The Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy said, 'we cannot finalize any programme on kerosene unless we discuss (it) with the state governments.'
The government has taken the decision with regard to kerosene but no decision has been taken on LPG (cooking gas). After removing the subsidy, the prices of kerosene would increase almost by three times. In order to protect the poor, government will provide cash compensation but only to actual buyers of the kerosene. Currently, the subsidized price of kerosene is around Rs 14.83 per litre in Delhi, but the market price is around Rs 40 per litre.
The Oil Ministry will have discussions with the state governments to evolve a consensus on the issue in next few weeks. The task force headed by the Nandan Nilekani had proposed the mechanism to facilitate the transfer of direct subsidies in the bank account of the beneficiaries. This move also removes the pilferage and leakages. 'If state governments agree to cash transfer, then all beneficiaries have to have a bank account where the cash subsidy can be transferred,' Reddy added.
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