Mangaluru: Oil marketing companies have warned LPG consumers that failure to complete their electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification by August 15 could result in the temporary disconnection of their domestic gas connections. Consumers who do not complete the verification may also lose the benefit of LPG subsidy until the process is completed.
Gas distributors have already informed customers about the mandatory e-KYC requirement. However, a significant number of consumers are yet to complete the verification, prompting authorities to fix August 15 as the final deadline.
BPCL issues communication to state government
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has written to Karnataka’s Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs regarding the pending e-KYC verification of LPG consumers.
Following the communication, the department has instructed all district deputy commissioners to ensure that consumers complete the verification process within the stipulated time.
According to BPCL, LPG connections of consumers who fail to complete e-KYC by August 15 will be temporarily disconnected until the verification is successfully completed.
Subsidy may also be affected
The company has also cautioned that consumers who do not complete the e-KYC process will not be eligible to receive LPG subsidy thereafter.
Officials said the verification exercise is aimed at identifying genuine beneficiaries and preventing the unauthorised sale and misuse of domestic LPG cylinders.
Consumers who have voluntarily surrendered their LPG subsidy have also been directed to complete the e-KYC process, as the verification is mandatory for all LPG connection holders.
Thousands yet to complete verification
Despite repeated reminders from distributors, thousands of consumers are yet to complete their e-KYC.
According to one gas distributor, out of nearly 19,000 customers, around 4,200 consumers are yet to complete the verification process.
Similar situations have been reported by several other LPG distributors across the region.
A gas distributor in Mangaluru said that some consumers living abroad have been unable to complete the verification, contributing to the pending numbers.
Officials, however, clarified that there are no technical issues with the e-KYC process and urged consumers to complete it at the earliest.
Officials clarify current status
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Director of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Hemalatha, said that only BPCL has so far issued an official communication regarding the August 15 deadline.
Meanwhile, Darshith, Sales Manager of BPCL’s Mangaluru Division, said that consumers who fail to complete e-KYC may have to pay the market price for domestic LPG cylinders, which could be equivalent to commercial LPG cylinder rates until the verification is completed.
The company has also communicated the matter to district deputy commissioners to facilitate awareness among consumers.
How to complete LPG e-KYC
Consumers can complete the mandatory e-KYC through the official mobile application of their LPG provider, such as HelloBPCL, or by visiting their respective gas distributor’s office.
They are required to carry their Aadhaar card for identity verification.
Officials said the procedure is similar to the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification carried out by banks and financial institutions.
Consumers have been advised not to wait until the last date and to complete the process well before August 15 to avoid disruption of LPG services and subsidy benefits.
Conclusion
With the August 15 deadline approaching, oil marketing companies and district authorities have urged all LPG consumers to complete their e-KYC without delay. The verification exercise is intended to ensure that subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries while preventing misuse of domestic LPG connections.