Non-eKYC LPG users lose subsidised refills under new rules
New LPG rules in force from October 1 bar households that have not completed biometric Aadhaar authentication from receiving subsidised cylinders. Such consumers may obtain smaller free-trade cylinders only after registering their inability or unwillingness to complete eKYC and accepting market prices, which are substantially higher in Hyderabad.
New regulations denying subsidised LPG refills to households that have not completed biometric Aadhaar authentication came into force on October 1. Under the rules, consumers who have not completed the authentication process will receive only five- or 10-kilogram free-trade LPG cylinders at market prices, without subsidy. They must first register their unwillingness or inability to complete the process and consent to receive the smaller refills.
In Hyderabad, a subsidised 14.2-kilogram cylinder costs ₹994, or about ₹70 per kilogram, according to the supplied report. A five-kilogram free-trade refill costs ₹846.50, while a 10-kilogram composite cylinder costs ₹1,801. First-time free-trade users must also pay for equipment.
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum to implement the regulations after the September 14 deadline for eKYC completion. The stated objective is to ensure that subsidies reach genuine and eligible households, while reducing diversion and duplicate or ineligible connections. Telangana LPG Distributors Association president Jagan Mohan Reddy said the first day of implementation was normal at distributors in Hyderabad and across the State.
He expected the impact to become clearer as consumers discovered that orders could not be placed without authentication. Orders and invoices, including prepaid orders for Ujjwala and non-PMUY households that had not completed biometric authentication, were cancelled under instructions issued to distributors. Consumers can still complete the process and resume receiving subsidised refills.
Distributors said they were preparing for greater demand for smaller cylinders during the festival season and winter. Telangana has 1.26 crore active LPG users, while Mr. Reddy estimated that about 11 lakh had yet to complete eKYC.
The Centre said 27.43 crore, or 89.9%, of active domestic LPG consumers nationally had completed authentication by September 19.
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