LPG subsidy and the free Diwali gas cylinder might get held up; here’s how to complete your e-KYC...

If you are not receiving your LPG gas cylinder subsidy, it could be because you have not completed the biometric Aadhaar authentication. Oil and gas companies have made KYC—including biometric Aadhaar verification—mandatory for all LPG customers. If you have not completed your KYC, your LPG subsidy may be withheld, though the delivery of your gas cylinders will not be interrupted. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, beneficiaries in several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, are also provided with free gas cylinders during the Diwali festival. Failure to complete the biometric Aadhaar e-KYC can result in the suspension of both the regular LPG subsidy and the provision of free cylinders under the Ujjwala Yojana.

No e-KYC, No Subsidy (LPG Subsidy E-KYC Online)
If a customer fails to complete the e-KYC within the stipulated timeframe, their LPG subsidy will be temporarily withheld from their bank account. In such cases, the customer will be required to pay the full market price for the LPG cylinder. The subsidy (₹300 per cylinder) provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will only be credited to the beneficiary's bank account once their biometric authentication is completed. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, female beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana receive free cylinders during festivals such as Diwali and Holi; biometric e-KYC is mandatory for this benefit. If the e-KYC is not completed, the subsidy may be stopped. Once the consumer completes the e-KYC, the withheld subsidy will resume. 

How to Complete Biometric Authentication
From the comfort of your home via mobile apps: LPG customers can use the apps provided by oil companies—IOCL, BPCL, or HPCL.
Use the Indane ONE, Hello BPCL, or HP Pay apps.
e-KYC can also be completed through facial recognition using the UIDAI’s 'Aadhaar FaceRD' app.

e-KYC at the time of cylinder delivery:
When the delivery person arrives with the gas cylinder, they can capture the consumer’s fingerprint or perform a facial scan using their biometric device or mobile app.
Alternatively, you can visit your gas agency with your Aadhaar card and gas passbook to complete the biometric verification.

Benefits of e-KYC:
It helps identify and deactivate millions of fake, duplicate, or illegal gas connections.
It prevents the use of subsidized domestic gas cylinders in commercial establishments like hotels and *dhabas* (roadside eateries).
Through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, subsidies will be credited directly to the eligible beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
It ensures a more reliable supply of gas cylinders.

Challenges Regarding LPG Consumer KYC:
A challenge has been filed in the Delhi High Court against the decision to make biometric Aadhaar authentication mandatory for domestic LPG consumers booking subsidized refills, effective from October 1st. Acting on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Pulkit Luthra, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Central Government, the Ministry of Petroleum, and the oil companies, seeking a response within two weeks. The petitioner, who has a 75% disability, stated that the mandatory biometric requirement—which includes iris scans—poses difficulties for individuals with various types of disabilities. Elderly individuals whose fingerprints have faded or worn off are also facing challenges. The government has stated that this measure is necessary to prevent the misuse of subsidies and has assured that the needs of persons with disabilities will be taken into account.

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