Will rules for LPG subsidies and biometrics change? High Court issues notice to the government

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Central Government regarding a petition challenging the mandatory biometric identification requirement for LPG subsidies and cylinder refill bookings. The petition was filed by a visually impaired lawyer.

Rules concerning LPG cylinder subsidies and mandatory biometric identification in the country may undergo changes. The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Central Government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the decision to make biometric identification mandatory for domestic LPG subsidies and refill bookings. The High Court has now issued a notice to the Central Government, seeking its reply.

The petition was filed by a lawyer named Pulkit Luthra, who himself has a 75% permanent visual disability. The petition states that the requirement for biometric identification—which includes iris scans—is causing significant hardship for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the visually impaired. It further argues that this process runs counter to existing legal provisions and rulings by the Supreme Court.

What did the Attorney General say?

Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing on behalf of the government, stated that the petitioner lacks any supporting data and that the petition has been filed without a substantive basis. He explained that the decision was taken to prevent the misuse of government subsidies and assured that the needs of persons with disabilities would be taken into account. Senior Advocate Zoheb Hossain, representing the petitioner, argued that the government's decision is contrary to the law and the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the Aadhaar system.

Next hearing scheduled for November 18

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Vasudev Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma has issued notices to the Central Government, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, and public sector oil companies, directing them to file their responses within two weeks. The next hearing in the matter has been set for November 18. It should be noted that the government had made biometric Aadhaar verification mandatory for domestic LPG customers when booking refills at the prescribed retail selling price—a price that includes a subsidy—effective from October 1st.