Centre asks states to double daily supply of 5-kg LPG cylinders for migrant workers

New Delhi: The Centre has directed all states and Union Territories to double the daily supply of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders meant for migrant labourers.

In a letter to the states, Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry Secretary Neeraj Mittal said the additional cylinders would be distributed exclusively to migrant labourers with the support of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).

Mittal said state governments and their Food and Civil Supplies Departments would supervise the distribution process to ensure the extra 5-kg cylinders reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently.

Earlier, the Petroleum Secretary held a meeting with state officials, during which the Centre stressed the need to maintain adequate LPG supply across the country.

The Secretary had also advised states to consider targeted distribution of 5-kg FTL cylinders based on local needs, in coordination with OMCs.

According to the ministry, around 6.75 lakh 5-kg Free Trade LPG cylinders have been sold across the country since March 23, indicating stable and improving supply.

The Ministry’s move comes after complaints of a large number of migrant workers leaving cities for their native villages due to the non-availability of 5-kg LPG cylinders.

Migrant workers mostly depend on these 5-kg cylinders for cooking. The non-availability and alleged black marketing of these small cylinders have caused severe hardship to the poor.

Industries that rely on migrant labour are also facing a sudden labour crunch as many workers have returned to their villages.

At an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in the Middle East, Petroleum Ministry Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma on Tuesday said no “dryout” had been reported at petrol pumps or LPG distributorships anywhere in the country.

Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) had conducted 1,300 awareness camps over the last four days, during which 10,005 5 kg cylinders were sold.Online LPG bookings have risen to about 97 per cent across the industry, while Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries have climbed to around 90 per cent to curb diversion of cylinders.

Domestic LPG supplies to households have remained normal, with more than 18 crore cylinders delivered since March 1, she said.