Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 5: The Aadhaar-based authentication system under the PAHAL direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme has helped eliminate over 4.08 crore fake, duplicate, and inactive LPG connections, sharply curbing misuse and diversion of subsidised cylinders for commercial use, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, credited the Aadhaar-enabled verification mechanism with ensuring real-time identification, de-duplication, and better targeting of subsidy beneficiaries.

As of July 1, around 92.44% of the country’s 33.05 crore active LPG consumers have had their Aadhaar linked with their accounts. Among the 30.63 crore DBT beneficiaries, about 86.78% are Aadhaar Transfer Compliant, the minister added.

The government has also mandated biometric Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries under both the PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) and PAHAL schemes. Nearly 67% of existing PMUY users have completed biometric verification, and all new PMUY connections now require it prior to activation.

To enhance oversight, a Common LPG Database Platform has been introduced to flag and remove duplicate accounts. This deduplication process uses several identifiers including Aadhaar numbers, bank details, ration card data, names, and addresses.

Since the PAHAL scheme’s inception, a total of 8.49 lakh PMUY connections have been cancelled as part of the database cleansing drive. Further, under a January 2025 SOP, about 12,000 inactive PMUY users—those who haven’t refilled even once post installation—were removed from the system.

Puri emphasised that these steps ensure LPG subsidies are delivered efficiently and exclusively to eligible, economically weaker sections. The targeted approach, he said, also deters the siphoning of subsidised gas for unintended or commercial use.

A third-party evaluation conducted by the Research and Development Initiative (RDI) found that over 90% of beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the subsidy transfer mechanism. The review recommended further strengthening of payment infrastructure, grievance redressal, and more focused targeting to ensure subsidies benefit the genuinely needy.

The Aadhaar-driven reforms in the LPG subsidy system are part of a larger push for transparency and better targeting of government welfare schemes, particularly those involving financial transfers.