New Delhi, March 16: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has clarified that biometric Aadhaar authentication (eKYC) for LPG consumers is not mandatory for all customers, amid confusion caused by circulating news reports and social media posts.
In an official clarification, the ministry stated that the recent advisory regarding LPG biometric authentication is not a new directive, but part of the government’s ongoing effort to encourage LPG consumers who have not yet completed their eKYC to do so.
According to the ministry, the eKYC requirement applies only to LPG consumers who have not completed the authentication process so far. Customers who have already completed eKYC earlier do not need to repeat the process.
For beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the ministry clarified that eKYC is required only once every financial year, and that too for receiving targeted Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) subsidies after seven refills, specifically during the 8th and 9th refill.
The ministry further informed that eKYC can be completed easily from home and free of cost, and reassured consumers that the supply of LPG refills will not be affected in any case.
Officials explained that the eKYC process is aimed at ensuring transparency, identifying eligible beneficiaries, eliminating ghost consumers and preventing diversion of LPG cylinders.
The government urged consumers not to be misled by incorrect information circulating online and to rely only on official announcements regarding LPG services.
