Sikkim consumers face inconveniences as LPG refill process now requires OTP verification

ISABELLA GURUNG

GANGTOK, : Sikkim LPG consumers, including government employees, private workers, and businessmen, are facing difficulties in receiving LPG refills, since Saturday, due to the mandatory One-Time Password (OTP) verification system.

Many customers are unable to be physically present at the time of delivery or are unavailable to share OTPs over phone calls with unknown persons, leading to delays and inconvenience. This came as per the direction of Divisional LPG Sales Head, SiliguriIndane Divisional Office.

According to the direction by Divisional LPG Sales Head, SiliguriIndane Divisional Office, “all deliveries should be only with digital booking, digital payment, DAC, with customer feedback (total digital process) and not a single delivery should be without digital transaction.”

Additionally, head loaders and "kanchhas", who traditionally assist consumers by collecting cylinders, are also unable to complete the verification process. These helpers typically carry cash and LPG blue books to facilitate deliveries but are not authorized to receive OTPs on behalf of consumers. This restriction has further complicated the process, especially in areas where direct home delivery is challenging.

“There are systems of home delivery of LPG cylinders in the cities, but in Sikkim, it is mostly point delivery, and point delivery has been suspended here.  Many LPG consumers are stationed out of their towns and their families utilize their consumer LPG books, Consumers are scared to share OTPs with unknown persons due to various financial frauds and OTP verification cannot be carried out without home delivery,” said one of the consumers.

The Department of Food and Civil Supplies, the nodal department has not issued any notification regarding it, and such impractical speed-breakers will affect more than 90 percent of LPG consumers in Sikkim. This is bound to create problems in future. Hence, we urge the State government to take immediate action to stop public harassment at the earliest, it was informed.

Consumers are urging authorities to consider alternative verification methods to streamline the LPG refill process and reduce inconveniences for working individuals and those relying on delivery agents.