Nagpur: Domestic LPG customers who have not completed biometric Aadhaar authentication are facing a halt in subsidised cylinder bookings from Thursday, following directions issued by the union ministry of petroleum and natural gas.Customers who have not completed the mandatory e-KYC process will no longer be eligible for subsidy on domestic LPG refills. They will have to buy 5kg or 10kg cylinders at prevailing market rates until they complete biometric authentication.At present, the subsidy is applicable to 14.2kg domestic LPG cylinders. According to industry data, around 27.43 crore, or 89.9% of active LPG consumers across the country, have already completed biometric e-KYC and continue to receive cylinders at subsidised rates.However, customers whose authentication remains incomplete have reported difficulties in booking refills at subsidised rates from Thursday. Their subsidised booking will resume once biometric authentication is completed.Customers who are unwilling or unable to undergo biometric authentication will have to register their status through the digital channels of their respective LPG companies. Such consumers will not be eligible for subsidy and will have to purchase 5kg or 10kg cylinders at market rates, gas agency operators said.The e-KYC process has already resulted in complaints from consumers, with some reporting that their biometric details are not appearing in the system despite completing the process. Gas agency operators faced the ire of customers at several locations on Thursday after they were unable to book subsidised refills.There have also been complaints from customers who had completed e-KYC but continued to face difficulties while booking cylinders. Agency operators expect more consumer grievances and disputes over the next few days as the new system takes effect.Meanwhile, the price of commercial LPG cylinders was increased by Rs 63.50 from Thursday as part of the monthly price revision. The price of a commercial cylinder in Nagpur has risen from Rs 2,925 to Rs 2,988.50, while domestic LPG price remains unchanged.The increase is expected to raise operating costs for restaurants, hotels, dhabas and Saoji eateries. Commercial LPG prices have witnessed several increases over the past year, with food businesses passing on a part of the additional cost through higher menu prices.With the festive season underway, further increases in food prices could add to the expenses of consumers dining out.
