TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has decided to submit a report to Supreme Court that despite its directions that Aadhar Card is not mandatory to get LPG subsidy, consumers are still being asked to produce the identity proof.
The commission had taken suo-motu cognisance of media reports that Public Sector gas companies were insisting on Aadhar Card from the LPG consumers as precondition to avail the benefit.
“Insistence on possession of Aadhar Identity Card as a condition for getting the subsidy for consumption of domestic cooking gas within the permissible limit of nine cylinder notwithstanding the directions of the SC to the contrary, amounts to gross violation of the SC order and this aspect is required to be brought to the notice of the SC by forwarding a copy of this report to the Registry of SC to be considered by the court if found appropriate and proper,” it says.
The State and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in New Delhi were issued notices in this regard. While the State replied that they have no role in the matter, the Centre requested to drop the proceedings since a writ petition is pending with the SC wherein the Union Government has pointed out technical preliminary objections to the SC directions.
The commission however observed that there are many consumers who are yet to obtain Aadhar Card and yet to link it with the domestic gas connection and the bank account.
“…The technical objection raised by the Centre……goes to show the apathy of the Union of India towards thousands of genuine consumers of domestic cooking gas, many of whom either because of lack of proper advice or because of ignorance and even poverty are yet to obtain Aadhar Card or to link the Aadhar Card with the domestic gas connection and bank account,” the commission said.
