Over 4 Crore Duplicate LPG Connections Deactivated to Curb Misuse

In a comprehensive written reply to a Starred Question in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, outlined the government’s continuous and multifaceted initiatives to ensure that the distribution and subsidy transfer of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in India remain efficient, transparent, and inclusive. The Minister highlighted several key reforms, digital innovations, and quality control measures undertaken to reinforce consumer empowerment, prevent malpractice, and strengthen the LPG distribution network.

Systemic Reforms for Transparent Subsidy Transfers

Implementation of the PAHAL (DBTL) Scheme

At the core of the reforms is the PAHAL (Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG or DBTL) Scheme, implemented since January 2015. Under this initiative, all domestic LPG cylinders are sold at non-subsidised prices, while the eligible subsidy is directly credited into the bank accounts of consumers, thus eliminating intermediaries and reducing leakage. Consumers receive SMS confirmations for every subsidy transaction, including prompt notifications in case of transaction failures, along with guidance for corrective action.

A major achievement of the PAHAL scheme has been its role in identifying and blocking ‘ghost’ or ineligible connections, and curbing the diversion of subsidised LPG for commercial purposes. As of July 1, 2025, over 4.08 crore duplicate, fake, or inactive LPG connections have been blocked, suspended, or deactivated, ensuring that subsidies reach only genuine beneficiaries.

Biometric Aadhaar Authentication Drive

To further tighten beneficiary identification, the government directed public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to undertake biometric Aadhaar authentication for both PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) and PAHAL beneficiaries. This has improved the accuracy of beneficiary targeting and prevented fraudulent claims. By July 2025, 67% of existing PMUY beneficiaries had completed biometric Aadhaar authentication, and all new PMUY connections require such verification before being issued.

De-duplication through Common LPG Database Platform (CLDP)

The Common LPG Database Platform (CLDP) was introduced to weed out duplicate connections using Aadhaar numbers, bank account details, ration cards, and other identifiers. This data-driven approach ensures a single, unique LPG connection per household, enhancing both inclusion and compliance.

Empowering Consumers through Digital Initiatives

Real-Time Booking and Delivery Tracking

The government has implemented a nationwide IVRS/SMS-based refill booking system, ensuring consumers can book refills and track every stage of the delivery process. SMS alerts are sent at the time of booking, cash memo generation, and delivery, thus empowering consumers to monitor their LPG transactions and quickly report anomalies, such as wrong or non-delivery.

Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)

To prevent delivery fraud, a Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) is sent to consumers via SMS when a cash memo is generated. This unique code must be shared with the delivery personnel to complete the transaction, providing an additional security layer and ensuring authentic delivery.

Vigilance and Regulatory Oversight

Rigorous Inspections and Surprise Checks

Both scheduled and surprise inspections are regularly conducted by OMC field officers and officials from regional, zonal, divisional, and territory offices, as well as Anti-Adulteration Cells and Vigilance Departments. These checks cover LPG distributors’ godowns, showrooms, delivery points, and en-route locations, ensuring compliance and the prevention of LPG misuse.

Marketing Discipline Guidelines

To regulate distributor conduct, OMCs enforce Marketing Discipline Guidelines and take penal action against those found guilty of malpractice. The “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000” further empowers authorities to take strict action in case of irregularities.

Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Transaction Failures

The Minister reported that the majority of subsidy transactions are now completed within two days of LPG delivery. However, to address occasional failures caused by issues such as Aadhaar deseeding, bank mergers, or account closures, the government has focused on making all consumers Aadhaar Transfer Compliant. As of July 2025, over 92% of active LPG consumers had their Aadhaar details seeded in the OMC database, and nearly 87% of DBTL consumers are compliant, reflecting high operational efficiency.

Weeding Out Ineligible and Inactive Consumers

Comprehensive de-duplication exercises have resulted in the termination of 8.49 lakh PMUY connections that were found ineligible. Furthermore, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) introduced in January 2025 led to the removal of around 12,000 inactive PMUY connections (those with no refills after installation), ensuring targeted and timely subsidy delivery.

Impact Assessment and Consumer Satisfaction

A third-party evaluation by the Research and Development Initiative (RDI) revealed that over 90% of respondents were satisfied with the DBTL–PAHAL subsidy reimbursement process. The RDI’s report recommended strengthening subsidy payment infrastructure, improving grievance redressal mechanisms, focusing on better targeting (limiting subsidies to the economically weaker sections), and ramping up safety awareness through local language and mass media campaigns. The government has since undertaken steps to further boost transparency, efficiency, and consumer outreach.

Scale of Operations and Grievance Redressal

During 2024-25, about 194 crore LPG refills were delivered nationwide, with complaints registered for only 0.08% of transactions—primarily related to subsidy transfer or delivery delays—demonstrating the overall effectiveness and reliability of the system.

To further strengthen service quality, the government has bolstered the grievance redressal framework, enabling consumers to seek assistance and lodge complaints through multiple channels, including:

• Toll-free helpline: 1800 2333 555 (general queries and subsidy issues)

• OMC websites and mobile apps

• Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

• Chatbots, WhatsApp, and social media platforms (MoPNGeSEVA, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

• Helpline 1906: Dedicated for LPG accidents and leakages

• Direct complaints at distributor offices

The robust, tech-driven reforms and persistent monitoring measures adopted by the Government of India have resulted in a more transparent, accountable, and consumer-friendly LPG distribution and subsidy transfer system. The integration of digital tools, targeted inspections, and regular impact assessments ensures that the benefits of government subsidies reach the intended households efficiently, with a strong focus on consumer empowerment and service quality.