New Delhi: The government has doubled its supply of 5kg LPG cylinders to ensure adequate cooking fuel for migrant workers, officials said on Tuesday.
The move comes in the wake of concerns by industries over a possible exodus of migrant workers amid a shortage of 5 kg Free Trade Liquefied Petroleum (FTL) cylinders in several industrial clusters. HT had reported on Monday that some industries have set up community kitchens to retain workers.
“It has been reported that the daily quantity of 5 kg FTL cylinders in each state available for distribution to migrant workers is being doubled on the basis of average daily supply,” Petroleum Minister Neeraj Mittal said in a letter to state chief secretaries.
According to the letter, 5 kg FTL cylinders will be placed at the disposal of the government Food and Civil Supplies Departments for distribution “only to migrant workers”, with the support of state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Giving a daily update on fuel availability, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Petroleum Ministry, said supplies of petrol, diesel, piped natural gas (PNG) and LPG remain stable, with ‘no drought’ reported.
“Delivery of LPG cylinders is normal. Online booking for LPG cylinders is about 96%, and OTP-based delivery is about 90%,” she said, adding that OTP-based delivery helps in reducing leakage to the black market.
Regarding commercial LPG used by hotels, lodges and restaurants, she said supplies had returned to 70% of requirements. “Since March 14, approximately 45.5 thousand (4.55 million) 19 kg cylinders have been sold, equivalent to approximately 86,400 metric tons,” she said.
Sharma added that about 6,500 metric tons of commercial LPG were sold on Monday, equivalent to about 350,000 19 kg cylinders. It is worth noting that 5kg FTL cylinders are also classified as commercial LPG and are priced at 1.5kg $549 per cylinder in delhi. Under government policy, domestic LPG – supplied to more than 332 million households – remains the top priority, followed by commercial LPG.
In February, the average daily sale of 5kg FTL cylinders was around 77,000. After the April 7 order to double supply, daily sales rose to about 100,000 on Monday, she said.
She said the OMCs organized 1,300 awareness camps in different parts of the country and sold around 10,000 FTL cylinders. The main purpose of the awareness camp is to inform the consumer where they can get FTL cylinders. Since March 23, 2026, about 7.8 million 5kg FTL cylinders have been sold, it said. To purchase an FTL cylinder, a consumer needs a valid ID proof but no address proof is required.
The OMCs also organized 1,300 awareness camps across the country, facilitating the sale of around 10,000 FTL cylinders. The goal is to inform consumers where they can access these cylinders. Since March 23, about 7.8 lakh (780 lakh) 5kg FTL cylinders have been sold, it added.
To purchase an FTL cylinder, consumers need valid identification, but proof of address is not required.
