Biometric verification to be made mandatory for cooking gas connection; details inside

Palakkad: In a surprising development, the government has decided to make biometric verification mandatory for maintaining cooking gas connections. 

Earlier, only beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana were required to complete biometric verifications. However, a circular issued by cooking gas companies recently mandated biometric verification for all those with gas connections. While the deadline for completion hasn't been set, the central government is expected to announce it soon.

Failure to undergo biometric verification will result in not able to book cooking gas cylinders. The customers must complete biometric verification at the offices of public sector gas companies like India, Bharat, and HP.

To facilitate this process, agencies will install biometric devices to capture fingerprints and iris scans. Gas companies recently mandated biometric verification; however, no further progress has been made on the matter. 

Meanwhile, if the gas connection holder is bedridden, absent, or elderly and unable to travel, the ownership of the gas connection can be transferred to a family member listed on the ration card. To change the gas connection, individuals must visit the agency office with their Aadhaar card, cooking gas connection book, and ration card.

Steps for biometric verification:

1. Visit the agency office with an Aadhaar card and a cooking gas connection book.
2. Undergo a fingerprint or iris scan using the biometric system.
3. Receive an update message via E-KYC (know your customer) on your registered mobile number.

Biometric verification can also be conducted using mobile apps from cooking gas companies. This requires downloading the mobile application and the Aadhaar face recognition application.