Gujarat Distributes 98K LPG Cylinders to Factory Workers

When cooking gas shortages hit Gujarat's industrial cities, the state government stepped up with a solution that helped nearly 100,000 workers keep their kitchens running.

Gujarat distributed 98,883 small five-kilogram LPG cylinders to industrial workers across the state, the highest number issued by any Indian state. Surat, the textile hub where 40 percent of migrant workers had left due to the gas crisis, received 26,183 cylinders.

Ahmedabad came in second with 19,930 cylinders, followed by Kutch with 7,771, Bharuch with 6,723, and Rajkot with 6,525. The distribution targeted workers who had been struggling to cook meals as gas supplies tightened due to conflict in West Asia.

The crisis had hit Surat particularly hard. Thousands of migrant workers, unable to afford scarce cooking gas, had packed up and returned to their home states in recent weeks.

The state's food and civil supplies department also tweaked rules to help factories keep running. Industries in sectors like pharma, food processing, packaging, and agriculture can now receive bulk LPG supplies covering up to 70 percent of what they used before March 2026.

The Ripple Effect

The policy changes address two problems at once. Workers get affordable cooking gas for their homes, while factories can continue production without switching to less practical alternatives.

Priority goes to businesses where LPG is essential and natural gas won't work as a substitute. Companies must register with oil marketing companies and apply for natural gas connections to qualify, though some exceptions apply.

The total supply limit for industrial bulk purchases stands at 0.2 TMT per day across all qualifying sectors. This includes steel, ceramic, glass, paint, and polymer manufacturing.

By keeping both home kitchens and factory floors supplied with gas, Gujarat hopes to prevent more workers from leaving their jobs. The cylinder distribution gives families immediate relief while longer-term supply adjustments take effect.

Nearly 100,000 workers can now cook meals at home instead of choosing between expensive alternatives or leaving the state entirely.