Messages from OMCs stating IT status cause confusion among LPG consumers State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have initiated a new effort to reduce their subsidy burden by sending messages to LPG consumers about their annual income, aiming to discontinue subsidies for those who exceed certain income thresholds. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers who fall outside the income tax bracket and have their Aadhaar numbers linked to bank accounts receive a subsidy of ₹24.50 per cylinder delivery. The messages sent to consumers state that, based on income tax records, their (or a linked family member’s) gross taxable income exceeds the ₹10 lakh limit. Consumers are instructed to dispute the claim by contacting a toll-free number or registering a grievance on their respective OMC’s portal within seven days. Failure to respond may result in the suspension of subsidies. A resident of Velachery expressed confusion about the message, noting he was unaware of its purpose and questioned the relevance of linking his income tax records to his LPG subsidy. He highlighted that the ₹24.50 subsidy is insufficient for basic transportation costs, contrasting it with the ₹400 subsidy from years ago. Consumer activist T. Sadagopan criticized the practice of using income tax records to determine subsidy eligibility, calling it an invasion of privacy. He argued that the subsidy amount is minimal and criticized the BJP government’s shift to direct transfers, which reduced the subsidy during the lockdown without subsequent increases. Sadagopan also noted the lack of data on how many consumers have discontinued subsidies or continue to receive them. An LPG distributor described the messages as unnecessary and confusing, attributing their origin to the recent KYC document submission drive.#ministry_of_petroleum_and_natural_gas #staterun_oil_marketing_companies #lpg_consumers #t_sadagopan #velachery
