Srinagar, May 21: The LPG consumers in the Valley are facing mounting difficulties in getting their cylinders refilled as distributors witness an overwhelming rush of customers seeking to complete the now-mandatory electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification for their connections.
The government has made eKYC compulsory for availing LPG refills, prompting consumers to either complete the process online through mobile applications or visit distributor offices physically.
However, many residents say the process has become cumbersome and inaccessible, especially for people without smartphones or adequate digital literacy.
“I have an LPG connection and have to complete the mandatory eKYC process, which means downloading two applications on my phone and then following multiple steps. These apps require several permissions, which raises privacy concerns,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a consumer from uptown Srinagar.
Several customers complained that the self-eKYC process is heavily dependent on smartphone access, making it difficult for low-income households and elderly consumers.
Shazia, a homemaker and beneficiary of the Ujjwala scheme, said many women in Kashmir do not own smartphones, making the online verification system impractical.
“I cannot afford a smartphone, so how will I complete the self-eKYC?” she asked.
Distributors are grappling with a rush of customers at their offices for manual verification.
Some consumers alleged that the sudden enforcement of eKYC could be linked to concerns over LPG supply disruptions due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Adding to the frustration are complaints regarding OTP-based delivery verification.
Consumers said they received delivery confirmation messages even without sharing the OTP required during cylinder delivery.
“I received an OTP but did not share it with the distributor. Still, I got a message saying the gas had been delivered, even though I never received the cylinder,” said Mehraj Ahmad, another consumer.
A distributor, however, clarified that such messages are automatically generated by the delivery application.
“The refill bookings become valid only after successful completion of the eKYC process,” he said.
Srinagar, May 21: The LPG consumers in the Valley are facing mounting difficulties in getting their cylinders refilled as distributors witness an overwhelming rush of customers seeking to complete the now-mandatory electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification for their connections.
The government has made eKYC compulsory for availing LPG refills, prompting consumers to either complete the process online through mobile applications or visit distributor offices physically.
However, many residents say the process has become cumbersome and inaccessible, especially for people without smartphones or adequate digital literacy.
“I have an LPG connection and have to complete the mandatory eKYC process, which means downloading two applications on my phone and then following multiple steps. These apps require several permissions, which raises privacy concerns,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a consumer from uptown Srinagar.
Several customers complained that the self-eKYC process is heavily dependent on smartphone access, making it difficult for low-income households and elderly consumers.
Shazia, a homemaker and beneficiary of the Ujjwala scheme, said many women in Kashmir do not own smartphones, making the online verification system impractical.
“I cannot afford a smartphone, so how will I complete the self-eKYC?” she asked.
Distributors are grappling with a rush of customers at their offices for manual verification.
Some consumers alleged that the sudden enforcement of eKYC could be linked to concerns over LPG supply disruptions due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Adding to the frustration are complaints regarding OTP-based delivery verification.
Consumers said they received delivery confirmation messages even without sharing the OTP required during cylinder delivery.
“I received an OTP but did not share it with the distributor. Still, I got a message saying the gas had been delivered, even though I never received the cylinder,” said Mehraj Ahmad, another consumer.
A distributor, however, clarified that such messages are automatically generated by the delivery application.
“The refill bookings become valid only after successful completion of the eKYC process,” he said.
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