Government Urges States to Increase Daily Supply of 5-kg LPG Cylinders for Migrant Workers Amid No Reported Shortages
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has announced a significant increase in the daily supply of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders for migrant laborers, directing states and Union territories to double their allocations. This decision comes amid a stable overall LPG supply situation in the country, as confirmed by the Centre. The additional cylinders will be distributed with the support of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to ensure that migrant workers have adequate access to cooking fuel during periods of high demand.
Targeted Distribution to Migrant Workers
In a letter addressed to all chief secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal emphasized the importance of targeted distribution of the additional 5-kg cylinders to migrant laborers. State governments, along with their Food and Civil Supplies Departments, will oversee the distribution process to ensure that the extra cylinders reach the intended beneficiaries effectively. This initiative aims to enhance access to cooking fuel for migrant workers, particularly during times of increased demand. The directive follows a high-level review meeting where the Centre highlighted the necessity of maintaining sufficient LPG supply across the nation. States have been urged to prioritize LPG distribution for domestic and essential needs while remaining vigilant against hoarding and misinformation.
Reassurance on LPG Supply Stability
During an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, the joint secretary in the petroleum ministry, addressed concerns regarding potential LPG shortages. She confirmed that no “dryouts” had been reported at petrol pumps or LPG distribution centers across the country. Sharma stated that all petrol pumps are operating normally, and 6,500 tonnes of commercial LPG were sold recently to meet ongoing demand. Additionally, the ministry has organized awareness camps to inform consumers about the availability of 5-kg cylinders. Over the past four days, these camps have successfully sold 10,005 cylinders, reinforcing the message that the LPG supply remains stable.
Sales and Online Booking Trends
According to the ministry’s latest figures, approximately 6.75 lakh 5-kg Free Trade LPG cylinders have been sold nationwide since March 23, indicating a stable and improving supply situation. Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) oil marketing companies have conducted around 550 awareness camps, resulting in the sale of more than 6,700 cylinders. In a recent update, Sharma noted that OMCs had organized 1,300 awareness camps in just four days, leading to the sale of 10,005 cylinders. Online bookings for LPG have surged to about 97%, while Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries have reached approximately 90%, aimed at preventing the diversion of cylinders. The ministry reassured the public that domestic LPG supplies to households remain normal, with over 18 crore cylinders delivered since March 1, urging citizens to disregard rumors about shortages.
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