- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed a doubling of 5 kg FTL cylinder allocations in all states.
- Distribution will focus on migrant labourers, with states managing supply and OMCs handling logistics.
- The government urges citizens to avoid panic buying and rely on official channels for upda
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued a directive to double the daily allocation of 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders in each state to enhance the supply available for distribution specifically to migrant labourers amid the worldwide energy crisis due to the ongoing US-Iran war.
In the official letter to all states and Union Territories, the ministry stated that the 5 kg FTL cylinders will be handed over to state governments to be supplied exclusively to migrant labourers. While the states will oversee the distribution via their civil supplies departments, oil marketing companies will handle the logistical and operational side of the rollout.
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The ministry has confirmed that this increase is calculated based on the average daily supply provided to migrant labourers between March 2 and March 3, 2026. Notably, this new allocation exceeds the previous 20% limit originally outlined in the ministry's correspondence dated March 21, 2026.
For streamlined access to clean energy, the government has allowed the sale of 5 kg FTL cylinders without requiring a permanent address for the migrant population, students, and low-income earners who often lack the documentation necessary for standard utility connections. A valid ID card is required for fair trade and for cylinders from authorised distributors.
According to official data from the Petroleum Ministry, the 5 kg FTL initiative has seen rapid adoption, totalling 6.6 lakh units sold in the two weeks following March 23, highlighted by a massive single-day record of more than 90,000 units.
The ministry has described the initiative as an effective measure for ensuring an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and LPG among citizens, particularly amid the evolving conflict in West Asia.
The government has issued a formal appeal to the public to avoid panic-buying or making unnecessary LPG bookings. Citizens are strongly advised to follow official government channels for accurate information regarding supply and distribution.
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