New Delhi (India) April 28:From May 1, a new set of rules and regulations concerning the booking and delivery of LPG gas cylinders are likely to be introduced across India, which could bring major changes in how and when consumers can place their refill orders. Among the probable changes in the LPG gas cylinder booking rules May 1 are an increased waiting period between bookings, mandatory OTP-based delivery, stricter eKYC and a potential hike in LPG prices, all of which will likely contribute to streamlining the system and reducing its misuse but may have an impact on regular users.

Oil Firms Plan Rules to Curb Misuse

India's three largest oil marketing companies -- Indian Oil Corporation (Indane), Bharat Petroleum (Bharat Gas), and Hindustan Petroleum (HP Gas) -- are finalising a new set of norms, which are reportedly designed to put a halt to illegal hoarding and black marketing of subsidised cooking gas and prevent its diversion in the domestic market.
With LPG cylinder rules May 1 becoming a widely talked-about topic, it is important for households to remain informed of the changes in advance, in order to continue receiving uninterrupted gas supply and avoid delays while booking cylinders.

Longer Gap Between LPG Cylinder Bookings

As part of the revised LPG booking rules, one of the significant changes expected is the introduction of a higher gap between bookings. Consumers will likely have to wait longer for a refill now, with sources suggesting an increased gap of 25 days in urban and 45 days in rural areas. This would mean that households may need to make a more informed and careful plan regarding their gas consumption.

LPG Prices Likely to Increase Further

In conjunction with the expected changes in the delivery rules, a rise in LPG prices from May 1 also remains on the cards.
The price of domestic LPG cylinders have already seen an increase of around Rs 60 in the recent times, and, in line with global prices and demand conditions, a further revision of the same is quite likely in the coming days. It is significant to note that since the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran crisis, the prices of domestic LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) have seen an increase of Rs 60 whereas commercial cylinders (19 kg) have increased three times in the recent past.

OTP-Based Delivery to Become Mandatory

OTP-based delivery is also likely to become a rigid requirement under the upcoming rules, which means customers will have to present the one-time password (OTP) which is sent to them at the time of booking to the delivery agent who carries the cylinders to their doorstep, and only then receive the delivery. This is said to help curb fraud and ensure the correct recipient receives the gas cylinder.

Strict eKYC Rules for All Consumers

Furthermore, the rule that all consumers have to get Aadhaar-based eKYC done may become a stringent process, as consumers may find themselves at risk of gas disconnection if eKYC is not done, especially the government-sponsored scheme beneficiaries, without whom a gas supply could be adversely affected.