Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS): This is a payment system launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to facilitate the transfer of benefits and subsidies directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of beneficiaries under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme of the Government of India. APBS uses Aadhaar numbers for beneficiary identification and eliminates the need for multiple channels for transactions.
Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL): This is a specific DBT scheme aimed at streamlining the distribution of LPG subsidies in India. Under DBTL, consumers pay the market price for LPG cylinders, and the government transfers the subsidy amount directly to their bank accounts linked with Aadhaar. This approach ensures transparency and minimizes leakages in the subsidy system.
Here's how APBS and DBTL work together:
- The government identifies beneficiaries for LPG subsidy.
- Beneficiary Aadhaar numbers are linked to their bank accounts.
- When a beneficiary purchases an LPG cylinder, the subsidy amount is electronically transferred from the government's account to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the APBS system.
Benefits of APBS DBTL:
- Increased transparency and efficiency in subsidy distribution.
- Elimination of middlemen and leakages in the system.
- Targeted delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries.
- Reduced administrative burden for the government.
Overall, APBS DBTL is a significant initiative towards reforming the subsidy delivery system in India.
