The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has decided to increase the daily allocation of 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders for migrant labourers across all states and Union Territories.
According to reports, the revised allocation will effectively double the availability of these small cylinders. The decision has been made based on the average supply to migrant workers in early March and removes the earlier cap that restricted distribution.
Under the new system, the cylinders will be supplied to state governments or their respective Food and Civil Supplies departments, which will manage distribution exclusively for migrant labourers. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will support the process by ensuring adequate supply and logistics.
In a move aimed at improving accessibility, the government has also eased documentation requirements. Migrant workers, students, and daily-wage earners can now purchase 5-kg LPG cylinders from authorised distributors by presenting only a valid identity card, without needing to provide address proof.
As per the report, Chandra Prakash, President of the All India LPG Distributors Federation, said the initiative will benefit those who often struggle to obtain regular domestic LPG connections due to the absence of permanent residence. He added that workers, domestic helpers, students, and professionals living away from home are likely to benefit the most from the simplified process.
Applicants will need to submit a self-declaration stating their place of stay and confirming that the cylinder will be used strictly for cooking purposes. The scheme is limited to domestic use and does not apply to commercial consumers.
The initiative has already seen a strong response. Government data shows that more than 90,000 cylinders were sold in a single day, with total sales exceeding 6.6 lakh units across the country since late March.
Officials said the move is part of a broader effort to ensure steady availability of petroleum products and LPG supplies nationwide, particularly in light of global uncertainties, including the evolving situation in West Asia.
