In a significant crackdown on subsidy fraud, the Indian government has blocked more than 4 crore fake or duplicate LPG connections under its flagship PAHAL (Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG) scheme, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Rajya Sabha.
Reforms Reinforce Transparency and Accountability
Responding to a Starred Question in Parliament, Puri detailed that the reforms—including Aadhaar-based verification, biometric authentication, and a centralised LPG database—have helped in accurately targeting beneficiaries and curbing misuse of subsidised cooking gas.
As of July 1, 2025, an impressive 92.44% of India’s 33.05 crore active LPG consumers had linked their Aadhaar, while 86.78% of DBTL (Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG) consumers are now fully compliant.
Tightened Checks and Smart Monitoring
To further strengthen accountability, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have implemented Delivery Authentication Codes (DACs) and SMS-based tracking from booking to final delivery. In FY25 alone, India delivered nearly 194 crore LPG refills, with consumer complaints at a negligible 0.08%.
The government also cancelled 8.49 lakh Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) connections and terminated 12,000 inactive accounts, alongside surprise inspections to prevent misuse.
Widespread Satisfaction, Yet More to Do
An independent assessment revealed over 90% consumer satisfaction with the PAHAL scheme. However, the evaluation recommended strengthening infrastructure, refining targeting mechanisms, and enhancing safety education.
The reforms are part of a broader push to ensure that subsidies reach the deserving while blocking leakages that burden the national exchequer.
