Mohd Irfan
As the government’s deadline looms for mandatory e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) for LPG consumers to ensure uninterrupted delivery, senior citizens across the nation are enduring immense hardships amidst the scorching heatwave. The soaring temperatures, with each passing day, are taking a toll on human health, according to medical experts.
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The ultimatum to complete the e-KYC process has forced vulnerable senior citizens to venture out to their respective LPG outlets, exposing themselves to the sweltering heat. Given the intense heatwave and no respite in sight, the government’s decision to set the deadline during this period has left many questioning the rationale behind such a move.
A group of senior citizens, narrating their ordeal, lamented the government’s lack of consideration for their well-being. “It is beyond our comprehension why the government set the deadline during this scorching heat when our health should be the utmost priority,” one senior citizen expressed. “As we grow older, our immune systems weaken, and maintaining good health becomes paramount. However, the government seems least bothered about our well-being, leaving us with no choice but to visit the LPG outlets for e-KYC.”
The senior citizens have vented their anger, urging the government to be more considerate and extend the deadline for the e-KYC process. “Instead of taking into account the rising temperatures and its deleterious effects on human health, the government should act swiftly and extend the period until the heat subsides,” another senior citizen said. “The sooner the government acts, the better it will be for the public’s interest.” For those without personal transportation, the situation is even more challenging, as they are forced to board public transport, exposing themselves to the intense heatwave to reach the e-KYC centers.
One senior citizen took a poignant shot at the government, lamenting, “Does the government not understand the hardships we face? We are already grappling with various ailments, and now this mandatory LPG e-KYC has left us vulnerable to the extreme heatwave.”
A pertinent question arises: if, God forbid, any senior citizen falls seriously ill due to exposure to the sun during this process, who will take responsibility? This burning question demands an answer. While the government may argue that the e-KYC is for the public’s benefit, it cannot absolve itself of accountability in the face of potential health consequences. Regardless of the reasoning behind setting the May 31, 2024, deadline, the decision does not bode well for the vulnerable public, particularly senior citizens. These individuals are hopeful that the government will recognize the severe implications of the heatwave on human health and take necessary action.
One government official acknowledged the extreme heatwave and its deleterious effects on the human body. When questioned about the hardships faced by senior citizens exposing themselves to the sun while visiting LPG outlets, the officer acknowledged the issue but maintained, “As of now, there is no order to extend the mandatory e-KYC deadline beyond May 31, 2024.”
