Govt taps 24,000 phones to power fuel subsidy scheme
The government is steering a digital overhaul of how fuel subsidies are issued, edging toward a smartphone-driven system to track and dispense subsidised petrol. A plan to acquire roughly 24,000 mobile devices will equip service stations across the country, marking a shift from traditional subsidy distribution toward app-based management.
Under the blueprint, the Ministry of Information Technology will coordinate the rollout, with a national technology board determining device pricing. Oil marketing companies will supply the hardware to pump outlets, with about 12,000 stations slated to receive two devices each to enable real-time oversight at the point of sale.
Two dedicated nozzles at each outlet will be allocated for subsidised petrol, and customers—particularly motorcyclists and three-wheeler operators—will access discounted fuel through digital vouchers or QR codes generated by the app. The software is reported to be in the final stages of testing, with emphasis on security and reliability.
Eligible users will receive a fixed monthly quota of subsidised fuel. For motorcycles, allowances are expected to range from 20 to 30 litres per month, with strict caps designed to ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries.
Officials are weighing a potential expansion to include vehicles up to 800cc and possibly additional categories under a targeted subsidy model as the program evolves. The move is part of a broader set of measures aimed at addressing the energy crunch, with contingency plans prepared for emergencies.
A nationwide monitoring framework will track pump activity to improve transparency, and the digital verification via QR codes is intended to curb misuse and enhance accountability across the subsidy system.
Officials say a formal rollout announcement is anticipated soon as preparations continue, underscoring a commitment to targeted relief and efficient delivery.
