The government is planning to give motorcyclists up to 20 litres of subsidised petrol every month under the new digital system, according to details on Friday.
The proposal is still under review, but according to the details, officials say motorcycle and rickshaw users will be the main beneficiaries of the scheme.
The subsidy will be provided through a mobile app. Eligible users will receive digital vouchers in the app, which they can use to buy petrol at a lower price.
How will the app work
Each user’s monthly quota will be fixed, and they will not be allowed to buy more than the set limit.
The system will link the user’s national identity card and vehicle registration number to prevent misuse and make sure that only eligible people receive the subsidy.
The government is introducing this plan to help low income citizens deal with rising fuel prices and the ongoing energy crisis.
People who are not part of the scheme will have to pay the full market price for petrol.
Petrol quota app
To run the system, about 12,000 petrol pumps across the country will provide subsidised fuel through dedicated nozzles.
Each pump will be given two mobile phones. This will be to manage the digital process and verify the vouchers that the users will show.
The Ministry of IT has started work on the project and has sought the purchase of 24,000 mobile phones for this purpose.
Oil marketing companies will buy these phones and distribute them to petrol pumps.
A monitoring system will operate around the clock to keep the process transparent. Training videos will also be shown at petrol pumps to help staff and users understand how to use the app.
The mobile app is currently in the testing phase. It is expected to be launched nationwide after final approval.
Read more: Sindh govt considering smart lockdown, says Nasir Hussain Shah
