The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has increased by Rs 62.50 from October 1, taking the rate to Rs 2,810, while domestic LPG consumers face a new biometric Aadhaar authentication requirement for booking subsidised refills, according to a Times of India report.
The latest commercial LPG increase follows a Rs 9.50 rise in September, when the same cylinder was priced at Rs 2,747.50. The higher rate will affect businesses that depend on bulk domestic fuel supplies, including restaurants, food outlets, hotels and other commercial establishments.
The change comes alongside an increase in aviation turbine fuel prices. ATF has risen by around Rs 16 per litre, from Rs 121 to Rs 137 per litre, the report said. The two fuel-price changes have been announced as households and businesses adjust to revised energy costs at the beginning of October.
For domestic LPG users, biometric Aadhaar authentication will now be required to book refills at the regulated Retail Selling Price with the applicable subsidy. Consumers who have already completed the authentication process will not need to repeat it and can continue booking refills as before.
The authentication requirement is intended to ensure that subsidised LPG reaches genuine and eligible households. It is also aimed at preventing the diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders for commercial and industrial use, removing duplicate or ineligible connections and making subsidy delivery more targeted and transparent.
Consumers who have not completed the process will be able to book a subsidised refill after their biometric authentication is completed. The process can be carried out through several channels, including during delivery, when the delivery person can use the oil marketing company’s mobile application to complete the authentication.
Customers can also visit their LPG distributor’s showroom for the process or complete it from home using the relevant oil marketing company application. Indian Oil customers can use Indian Oil ONE, Bharatgas customers can use HelloBPCL and HP Gas customers can use HP PAY.
Consumers who are unwilling or unable to complete biometric Aadhaar authentication will still be able to receive LPG, but the supply will be made at the applicable market price without subsidy. They may be offered 5-kg or 10-kg cylinders, subject to local availability with the oil marketing company.
The choice to receive LPG without subsidy can be registered through the oil marketing company’s digital channels, including its consumer web portal, mobile application, WhatsApp chatbot, interactive voice response system or other available services.
The requirement is being implemented across urban and rural areas through delivery, distributor and digital channels. Consumers who have not yet completed biometric Aadhaar authentication have been urged to use one of the available options before booking their next subsidised refill.
