Hyderabad: Most PDS beneficiaries who draw kerosene are not interested in either the Deepam scheme or the Prime Minister’s Ujwal Scheme, which provide subsidised LPG connections.
LPG distributors say they were searching for beneficiaries to meet their targets but no one was interested.
As per official statistics, the state has 85.88 lakh food security card holders, of whom 61.11 lakh do not have LPG connections.
Federation of LPG distributors of India president P.V. Rao said the district administration sent lists of beneficiaries to LPG dealers but most of the beneficiaries did not want them.
“LPG distributors have beneficiaries’ list but without any contact details. This is becoming an impediment while searching for beneficiaries,” he said.
An official from civil supplies department said there was a plan to assign district supplies officers and MPDOs to meet the target.
“Beneficiaries are thinking they may lose other benefits if they opt for LPG. We are providing counselling in such cases. Although they step back, we are taking a written declaration from them stating that they are not willing to take a LPG connection,” the official said.
