Government of India’s ambitious ‘Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme’ was acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The scheme was modified and named as Pahal in November 2014 and was then again launched in 54 districts. Later it was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.
What is the Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme
- The scheme has been launched with the aim of reducing or eliminating duplication or bogus LPG connections and its diversion. It also seeks to meet substantive savings in LPG subsidy.
- Under the scheme, subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are sold at market rates and consumers are entitled to receive LPG subsidy directly into their bank accounts.
- It is done either through bank account or Aadhaar linkage.
- Currently it covers more than 9.75 crore LPG consumers across the country.
