Prayagraj: In the ripple effect of the LPG cylinder shortage, distributors are currently facing a mad rush of customers flocking to agencies to get their e-KYC done. Around 33% consumers are yet to go through the KYC verification process in the district.Distributors at all 144 gas agencies are carrying out e-KYC to run the gas account as well as refilling. Agencies noted that there has been a section of consumers who did not avail LPG cylinders for the past nine months and are now approaching the agency concerned for supply and refill. The consumers have been asked to complete e-KYC verification before booking cylinders. This transition has left many, particularly daily wage labourers unfamiliar with digital systems, unable to place refill requests.On Monday, several people thronged a distributor’s office at Stanley Road to know the refill process as they were unaware of OTP-based booking and online procedures for refills.“Earlier, it was simple, but now we are being told to book for refill digitally,” said a consumer waiting in the queue.Officials said the disruption is not due to shortage but confusion over the new process. Agency authorities said that the outlet is witnessing a daily footfall of 100 to 200 people enquiring about the e-KYC process.Consumers are afraid that they would not be able to book their cylinder online if they fail to completed their e-KYC once the lock-in period is over. “LPG cylinders still reach those e-KYC customers who’ve got their delivery codes,” said the owner of an agency, adding, “Those deliveries are being prioritised to ensure that genuine consumers do not face hardship.”Agencies further claimed that the move aims to ensure balanced supply and prevent panic bookings. The oil companies have also instructed distributors to be more vigilant about e-KYC compliance.The district has over 14.79 lakh domestic LPG consumers, and 33% of them are yet to go through the e-KYC exercise. The process of completing KYC was launched two years back, but consumers were least bothered to complete it. Once they failed to get their cylinders refilled, they visited agencies to get it done, said an agency owner at Civil Lines.
