Patna: India has made One-Time Password (OTP) verification compulsory for the delivery of domestic LPG cylinders, marking a significant shift in the way household cooking gas is distributed. Oil marketing companies announced that, from today, no cylinder will be handed over without OTP authentication, with stricter enforcement planned from March.
Officials say the move is intended to strengthen transparency and eliminate irregularities that have persisted in the delivery system for years. Complaints had surfaced from several regions alleging that cylinders were marked as delivered in official records despite not reaching the intended households. The new digital confirmation process is designed to curb fake deliveries, prevent black marketing and reduce the scope for intermediaries to manipulate supply.
Under the revised system, consumers booking an LPG cylinder will receive an OTP on their registered mobile number. When the delivery worker arrives, the customer must provide the OTP to confirm receipt. The delivery will only be recorded as complete once the OTP is successfully verified in the company’s system. If the OTP is not shared or fails validation, the transaction will be cancelled.
The policy has prompted political debate. Supporters describe it as a governance reform aimed at tackling corruption in essential services. Critics, however, argue that the added digital requirement could create barriers for vulnerable consumers, particularly in rural areas where mobile connectivity is unreliable or where households may not have updated their registered numbers.
Consumer groups have also called for alternative verification options for those without access to a registered phone or stable network coverage. As the new rule takes effect nationwide, its success may depend not only on its ability to curb malpractice but also on how inclusively it is implemented.
