The government has doubled the daily quota of 5-kg LPG cylinders for migrant workers amid supply disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas aims to stabilise fuel supplies with this move. Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma announced the decision via a letter dated April 6.
The Indian government has doubled the daily quota of market-priced 5-kg LPG cylinders for migrant workers to stabilise supplies amid West Asia war disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. These cylinders, available at distributorships with just an identity card, cost ₹549 in Delhi compared to ₹913 for subsidised 14.2-kg household ones.
At a news briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that a letter dated April 6 doubled the daily 5-kg free trade LPG (FTL) cylinders per state for migrant labourers, based on March 2-3 averages. February saw 77,000 kg FTL cylinders sold, with higher sales on those March days. Since March 23, 7.8 lakh such cylinders were sold nationwide, including over 1.06 lakh on April 6.
Commercial LPG allocations reached 70% of pre-crisis levels, with over 4,300 raids conducted against hoarding and black marketing. Sharma urged citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel, and LPG, assuring adequate stocks and normal retail operations. Supplies of LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) were prioritised for households and hospitals.
Natural gas for priority segments like domestic PNG and transport CNG remains fully protected. Despite surging global crude prices, India cut excise duties on petrol and diesel while imposing export levies for domestic availability.
