Lok Sabha Question No. 553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-25
Subject: Mandatory mustering for LPG customers
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 th  July, 2024

## Mandatory mustering for LPG customers

## 553. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  directed  to  make  biometric  verification  mandatory  for  all  LPG customers in the country;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has noted the hardship being faced by the women and elderly customers due to crowd and long queues in gas agencies for mustering and if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government would direct the LPG companies for taking measures to ease the process
- of mustering to avoid rush and long queues in gas agencies and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेĚोͧलयम एवं Ĥाक ृ Ǔतक गैस मंğालय मɅ राÏयमंğी ( Įी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d) : Government provides deposit free LPG connection to adult woman of poor households under  Pradhan  Mantri  Ujjwala  Yojana  (PMUY).  Further,  a  targeted  subsidy  of  ₹300  per  14.2  kg cylinder (and proportionately pro-rated for 5 kg cylinders) for up to 12 refills of 14.2 Kg equivalent domestic LPG is being provided to all PMUY consumers. In addition, various State Governments have also been providing subsidized refills or further subsidies to PMUY beneficiaries.

As on 01.07.2024, more than 30.19 crore LPG consumers are enrolled under PAHAL scheme. Under PAHAL Scheme, LPG cylinders are sold at non-subsidized price and the applicable subsidy to LPG consumers is transferred directly into the bank account of the consumers. The subsidy is transferred either through Aadhaar Transfer Compliant (ATC) or Bank Transfer Compliant (BTC) mode.

It is important to ensure that these benefits reach the eligible and targeted beneficiaries in an efficient and timely manner. Aadhaar based authentication for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes enables accurate, real-time and cost-effective identification, authentication and de-duplication of beneficiaries for targeted delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries.

To augment the authentication of consumers, Government in October 2023 had issued directions to public  sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  to  undertake  &  complete  Biometric  Aadhaar Authentication of PMUY and PAHAL beneficiaries.

Consumers  can  complete  their  biometric  Aadhaar  authentication  through  various  methods.  This includes  use  of  mobile  applications  provided  by  their  respective  OMCs.  This  option  offers convenience and flexibility, allowing consumers to complete the authentication process using their smart phones, without visiting a distributor, at their convenience. Consumers can also complete the biometric  Aadhaar  authentication  at  the  time  of  their  cylinder  delivery.  This  method  also  allows consumers to complete the process without the need to visit any place. Consumers may also choose to complete the authentication process by visiting their LPG distributor's showroom which provides an alternative for those  who may not be available during delivery hours or prefer to complete the process in person.

All domestic LPG Consumers are encouraged to undergo biometric Aadhaar authentication using any of  the  available  methods  at  their  convenience.  This  flexible  approach  ensures  that  consumers  can choose  the  method  and  timing  that  best  suits  their  individual  preference  and  circumstances. Significant numbers of Biometric Aadhaar Authentications (more than 35 lakh PMUY beneficiaries) were successfully conducted during Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra camps. Authentication activities are being undertaken at the customer's doorstep as a part of LPG Safety Inspections/Camps which are currently  undergoing.  No  service  or  benefit  has  been  stopped  for  consumers  whose  biometric authentication has not been completed.

*****