The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Tuesday issued a clarification regarding the implementation of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) for LPG consumers, stating that the process is not mandatory for all users across the country.
The initiative, which uses biometric Aadhaar authentication, is part of the government’s broader effort to identify unauthorized LPG connections and ensure that subsidies reach only eligible beneficiaries.
e-KYC Only for Pending Users
According to the Ministry, only those LPG consumers who have not yet completed their e-KYC are required to undergo the process. Consumers who have already verified their details do not need to repeat it, addressing concerns about duplication and inconvenience.
Annual Requirement for PMUY Beneficiaries
For beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), e-KYC must be completed once every financial year to continue receiving subsidies under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
As per the official communication, PMUY users are required to complete e-KYC after their 7th LPG refill to remain eligible for subsidies on the 8th and 9th refills. However, those who have already completed the process within the current financial year are not required to do it again.
Convenient and User-Friendly Process
To simplify the process, the Ministry has enabled home-based e-KYC options, allowing consumers to complete verification without visiting distribution centres. This move is aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing inconvenience, particularly for rural and remote users.
No Impact on LPG Supply
The government has also reassured consumers that the implementation of e-KYC will not affect LPG supply or delivery services. The process is designed to be seamless and non-disruptive, ensuring uninterrupted access to cooking gas.
Ensuring Targeted Subsidy Delivery
The e-KYC initiative is expected to strengthen transparency in subsidy distribution by eliminating duplicate or unauthorized connections. Consumers have been encouraged to complete the process on time to continue availing benefits without interruption.
