e-KYC deadline days away: LPG consumers crowd agencies, many already compliant

With the August 16 deadline for completing the e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) process for domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections approaching, consumers across the State are rushing to cooking gas agencies to complete the verification. Several agencies reported footfall of 60–70 people on Thursday alone.

e-KYC is a one-time authentication process that links a consumer's Aadhaar number with their LPG customer ID. It is a mandatory requirement for those who wish to continue receiving LPG cylinders at the subsidised rate. Under the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme for LPG (DBTL), subsidy is credited directly into consumers' bank accounts. Industry experts say e-KYC helps oil marketing companies (OMCs) maintain an updated database of genuine beneficiaries, preventing duplication and fraud.

The process can be completed free of cost either online through the official portal of the consumer's oil company or in person at the local gas agency. Consumers need to carry their Aadhaar card and know their LPG customer ID. Many consumers have reported receiving SMS notifications reminding them to complete the process before the deadline.

Distributors, however, noted that many of those visiting the agencies had already completed the process. "I panicked because I got a message asking me to do the e-KYC. It is not a question of subsidy but the threat of having to buy cooking gas at commercial rates," said a consumer, who did not wish to be named.

According to data from State-run oil marketing companies, around 88% of the e-KYC verifications have been completed in the State so far. The remaining consumers are being encouraged to complete the process before the deadline to avoid any disruption in subsidy benefits.

Some consumers have encountered specific difficulties. Surendra Babu, a consumer from the city, said he had been occupied with day-to-day responsibilities and could not complete the e-KYC earlier. "I tried doing it at home but found that my Aadhaar card had not been linked with my LPG ID. Around ten years ago, there was a similar drive. I wonder what happened to the data we had submitted at that time," he said.

Another consumer, who asked not to be identified, said the gas connection was in her mother's name. After her mother's death, she had to complete several official procedures, including closing bank accounts. "Only recently were we able to get the name changed on the connection and complete the e-KYC," she explained. The name transfer process, which requires submission of death certificates and other documents, can be time-consuming.

Official sources said the e-KYC exercise is meant to ensure that cylinders are delivered to the intended consumers. "Delivery of cylinders will not be affected in any manner even if e-KYC is not completed," a senior OMC official clarified. This reassurance, however, has not allayed the anxiety of many consumers who fear they may have to pay the non-subsidised market price for refills if they miss the deadline.

An industry insider explained the rationale behind the drive. "The Union government is heavily subsidising domestic LPG. It cannot allow that subsidy to be used by people who do not genuinely need it," he said. LPG is a key cooking fuel for millions of households, and the subsidy is a significant benefit, making the e-KYC compliance a matter of financial importance for many.

Consumer activist T. Sadagopan urged the authorities to consider extending the deadline. "The public is being unnecessarily put to hardship. OMCs should hold special camps in public places to help consumers complete the process," he said. He also suggested that gas agencies should provide assistance to elderly and differently-abled consumers who may find it difficult to travel or complete the online process.

As the deadline approaches, OMCs have advised consumers to carry their Aadhaar cards when visiting agencies and to ensure that mobile numbers linked to their LPG accounts are updated. While the final date is August 16, some agencies are already reporting long queues, prompting calls for better crowd management and weekend arrangements. The OMCs, for their part, have maintained that the e-KYC process is essential for the long-term integrity of the subsidy system.