Hyderabad: The Central government has intensified efforts to stop LPG subsidy benefits for families with annual income above Rs 10 lakh.
Oil marketing companies are collecting income details directly from the Income Tax Department to identify ineligible consumers.
Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are using PAN card data to verify annual income and prepare lists of consumers who exceed the income limit.
LPG subsidy verification based on income records
Officials said the rule has existed since December 2015. Earlier, however, consumers voluntarily surrendered subsidy benefits.
Under the revised verification process, authorities will consider the income of both the LPG connection holder and the spouse.
If either individual earns more than Rs 10 lakh annually, the family will become ineligible for the subsidy.
Thousands of consumers have already received SMS alerts regarding income verification.
The messages state that officials identified income beyond the prescribed limit through IT records. Consumers must respond within seven days if they have objections.
Otherwise, authorities will discontinue the subsidy.
Officials believe the move will reduce the subsidy burden on the government and help divert funds to welfare schemes.
However, the government exempted poor families and beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana from the rule.
Officials clarified that Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries will continue receiving subsidy benefits.
Consumers whose income is below Rs 10 lakh but received warning messages can contact their gas agency or file complaints through the grievance portal.