New Delhi: In what could bring much-needed relief to migrant workers facing hardships due to the LPG crisis amid the West Asia conflict, the Centre has doubled the allocation of 5-kg free trade cylinders for them in all states.
In an order issued late on Monday, the Petroleum Ministry said that the daily quantity of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders available in each state for distribution to migrant labourers is being doubled.
The doubling of quantum would be premised on average daily supply, that is, the number of cylinders being disbursed on a day-by-day basis, between March 2 and March 3, and would extend beyond the 20 per cent limit as was mandated in an earlier order.
“It is conveyed that the daily quantity of 5kg FTL cylinder in each State available for disbursal to migrant labourers is being doubled based on average daily supply (that is, number of cylinders) to migrant labourers during March 2-3 beyond limit of 20% mentioned [in the March 21 order],” read the communication from the Secretary at the Union Petroleum Ministry to States.
The communication further stated the cylinders would be at the disposal of State governments and their food and/or civil supplies, and are meant to be solely supplied to migrant labourers in their states.
The LPG relief from the government comes amid reports that some migrant workers are considering returning to their home states amid LPG shortage triggered by the ongoing Israel-US and Iran war and subsequent global energy crisis.