LPG e-KYC deadline extended again to September 14; 88% of Telangana users compliant

The deadline for domestic cooking gas consumers in Telangana to complete Aadhaar-based biometric authentication (e-KYC) of their LPG connections has been extended once more, now to September 14. The one-week reprieve was confirmed by a senior official from one of the three public-sector oil marketing companies (OMCs).

As of now, roughly 88% of the state's 1.26 crore LPG consumers have completed the mandatory verification, ensuring uninterrupted access to subsidised domestic refills. The remaining consumers face uncertainty over the rate at which cylinders will be supplied if they fail to comply, as the government has not yet finalised a policy on this matter.

The extension marks the third such move in recent weeks, following earlier postponements from August 23 to August 31, and then to September 7. Despite these repeated deadlines, industry sources indicate that full 100% coverage is unlikely. Many of the non-compliant users are suspected of holding multiple connections in their own name or using connections registered under another person's identity.

The pace of compliance among the remaining consumers has been slow, the official noted, with coverage improving only marginally from 86% a week ago.

In a separate development, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed OMCs to reduce the waiting period for booking a refill in rural areas from 45 days to 25 days, aligning it with the urban norm. The longer gap was introduced during the peak of the West Asia crisis as a demand-management measure. The ministry's communication cites the current comfortable LPG supply position and a significant reduction in refill backlogs as reasons for the revision.