Mumbai: Aiming to curb pilferages, Maharashtra government will be depositing cash subsidy to LPG consumers directly into their bank accounts under a new scheme 'PAHAL' that will enable consumers to buy the cooking gas at market rates.

"The government has launched a scheme called 'PAHAL' (Direct Benefit transfer of LPG, DBTL) where consumers will have to pay the full amount for cylinders at the time of buying and the cash equivalent to the difference between the current subsidised rate and the market price will be transferred directly into their bank accounts," Shweta Singhal, Controller of Rationing and Director of Civil Supplies, told reporters here.