Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, clarified that there is no deadline for completing the eKYC authentication process for LPG cylinders.
Puri’s response on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) came in reply to a letter by VD Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Satheesan pointed out in the letter that while eKYC is necessary, requiring it to be done at respective gas agencies has caused inconvenience to regular LPG holders.
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced on Tuesday that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been diligently implementing eKYC Aadhaar authentication for LPG customers to eliminate bogus accounts and prevent the fraudulent booking of commercial cylinders.
Puri clarified that this process has been in place for over eight months and is aimed at ensuring that only genuine consumers receive LPG services.
Explaining the process, Puri said, “In this process, the LPG Delivery Personnel, while delivering LPG cylinders to customers, verify credentials. Delivery personnel use their mobile phone to capture the Aadhaar credentials of the customer through an app. The customer receives an OTP, which is used to complete the process. Customers can also approach the distributor showroom at their convenience.”
Alternatively, customers can install OMC Apps and complete the eKYC on their own.
“There is no deadline for this activity, either by Oil Marketing Companies or the Central Government. It is also clarified by OMCs that there is no ‘mustering’ of customers at showrooms of LPG distributorships,” Puri said.
“Further, oil companies are also issuing a clarification to the press on this matter to assure customers and ensure that there is no hardship or inconvenience to any genuine consumer,” he added.
