The global upheaval has impacted India and the world. Fuel and gas shortages have led to regulations regulating LPG usage. Recently, many gas consumers have been receiving SMS notifications from their service providers. But what exactly are these messages, and what impact will they have?

What should be the annual income of the family to get LPG?
These notifications clearly state that as per the records of the Income Tax Department, the annual income limit of the person or his/her family members is more than the limit prescribed for getting LPG; and hence, they are no longer eligible for this subsidy. These messages further state that if any consumer feels that this notification has been received by mistake and they are indeed eligible for the subsidy, they can present their case within seven days.

The main objective of the LPG subsidy scheme
is to help economically weaker families and encourage them to use clean fuel. Customers who wish to avail this subsidy must purchase the cylinder at the market price; after which the government deposits the subsidy amount directly into their bank account. To avail this subsidy, your Aadhaar number must be linked to both the LPG connection and the bank account.

Who is excluded from the subsidy?

According to the LPG subsidy rules, which came into effect in December 2015, this subsidy is available only to families with an annual income of less than ₹10 lakh. Families with an annual income of more than ₹10 lakh are excluded from the subsidy. To calculate this income limit, the combined income of both husband and wife is considered. Oil companies have now begun collecting family income information from the Income Tax Department's database.

Their subsidy will be stopped permanently
Customers whose annual income is less than ₹10 lakh and who have completed their KYC formalities are being given a subsidy of approximately ₹24.50 per cylinder. Since this is based on transportation costs and gas prices, the amount may vary across states and districts. At any stage during the verification process, if it is found that the total income of the customer or their spouse exceeds the prescribed limit, their subsidy will be stopped immediately and permanently.

The LPG
subsidy applies to up to 12 cylinders per year. If you purchase more than this limit of 12 cylinders, you will still have to pay the market price. In other words, there will be no financial assistance from the government for the purchase of the 13th cylinder.

The government recently implemented several regulations regarding LPG gas. To prevent irregularities in the distribution of LPG cylinders, a "Delivery Authentication Code" is now mandatory, and 100% of distribution is conducted through this system.

Gas companies have clarified that the OTP is a personal security code. You should never share this code with anyone over the phone, nor should you submit it in any online form. This code is only for use at the time of actual delivery, meaning you should provide it to the delivery staff only after receiving the cylinder.

PC: Navarastra