In order to cover more households under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the union minister of state (Independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday informed that soon kerosene consumers would be able to get their subsidy directly into their bank accounts. The Centre will rollout a pilot project in 33 districts across the country, he said.

"We are especially working to further the reach of LPG connections in tribal and rural areas. In the coming days, all needy people who buy kerosene will get subsidy amount directly in their bank. We will start pilot scheme in 33 districts across the country including seven districts in Gujarat," Pradhan informed here after meeting the State Government officials.

In order to chalk out a plan for seamless implementation, Pradhan met state minister for civil supplies Bhupendrasinh Chudasama along with secretaries of the concerned departments and 7 district collectors from Gujarat.

Pradhan maintained that Government of India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Department has the biggest Public Distribution System (PDS). "Daily 3 crore people in India visit petrol pumps, kerosene retailers, and LPG distributors to buy petroleum products. Government of India and various state governments are working on a detailed scheme to ensure smooth reach of petroleum products," he added.

The Ministry is currently focusing on increasing the reach of LPG connections in tribal and rural areas.

In Gujarat, the pilot project of DBT scheme for kerosene will be taken up in seven districts having large tribal population. These districts will be Banaskantha, Chhota Udepur, Ahmedabad rural, Bharuch, Dang, Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka.

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