Which government scheme is registered in Guinness World Record?
VerifiedAnswer: Pahal Scheme
Explanation:
The Pahal Scheme holds the remarkable distinction of being registered in the Guinness World Records as the world's largest direct cash transfer scheme. This achievement highlights India's innovative approach to subsidy distribution and social welfare programs.
Launched in 2013 by the Government of India, Pahal stands for Pratyaksha Hanstantrit Labh, which translates to Direct Transfer of Benefits. This scheme was designed to eliminate the inefficiencies in the traditional subsidy system for cooking gas (LPG) and ensure that subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries directly.
Under the Pahal Scheme, consumers purchase LPG cylinders at market price, and the government transfers the subsidy amount directly to their bank accounts. This revolutionary approach eliminated middlemen and reduced corruption in the subsidy distribution system. The scheme uses the unique identification system (Aadhaar) to verify beneficiaries and ensure transparency.
The Guinness World Records recognized Pahal for covering over 285 million beneficiaries, making it the largest direct cash transfer program globally. This massive scale demonstrates the scheme's successful implementation across India's diverse population and geographical regions.
Key features of the Pahal Scheme include:
• Direct bank transfers ensuring subsidy reaches consumers without delays • Elimination of fake connections and duplicate subsidies • Reduced administrative costs and improved efficiency • Enhanced transparency in government welfare distribution • Integration with digital payment systems and banking infrastructure
The scheme's success has saved thousands of crores of rupees for the government by plugging leakages in the subsidy system. It has also encouraged voluntary surrender of subsidies by better-off families, redirecting resources to those who need them most. The Pahal Scheme serves as a model for other countries looking to implement large-scale direct benefit transfer programs and showcases India's capabilities in leveraging technology for social welfare.
