The Finance Ministry has asked all public sector banks to complete infrastructure network for the roll out of the second phase of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in the 78 identified districts from 1st of July. The Ministry directed the heads of the banks to ensure that banking infrastructure is put in place in all the 78 districts by 31st of next month. It also asked banks to install and operationalize ATMs at all branches. The first phase of DBT was launched in 43 identified districts in January this year.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office has written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to expedite preparations for the roll out of DBT on LPG subsidy in 20 districts from 15th of next month. The letter written by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure that the consumer database with oil marketing companies and the bank accounts of consumers are seeded with Aadhaar numbers. The letter was written in the wake of assurances given by the Ministries of Finance and Petroleum and Natural Gas to take necessary steps for the roll out of DBT as planned. News Content