Gurgaon Industries Sound Alarm Over LPG Shortage Threatening Migrant Workforce
In a critical development that could impact industrial output, industry owners in Gurgaon have urgently appealed to the district administration to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of LPG to migrant workers. They fear that the ongoing supply constraints may force these workers to leave the city, potentially triggering a severe labour crunch that could disrupt production across various sectors.
Delegation Meets Officials to Address Crisis
A delegation of industrial organisations, spearheaded by the Progressive Federation of Trade and Industry (PFTI), met with Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar on Saturday. During the meeting, they highlighted the dire situation where many migrant workers, particularly those covered under Employees’ State Insurance and PF schemes, are considering returning to their home states due to difficulties in accessing cooking gas.
The delegation specifically requested that the district administration ensure regular and easy availability of LPG for all registered workers. They also proposed that gas supply companies be directed to allocate 60–70% of PNG supply to industries, aiming to maintain smooth production activities.
Production Disruptions and Black Market Exploitation
The industrial bodies have flagged significant disruptions in production at several large industrial units, attributing these to irregular PNG supply. This issue is cascading down to MSMEs that rely on these larger units for their operations, exacerbating the economic impact.
PFTI chairman Deepak Maini emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The situation has become so critical that many workers are being forced to migrate back to their home states, which could lead to a severe shortage of labour in industries.” He further revealed that some workers are resorting to purchasing gas from the black market at exorbitant rates, with prices soaring to Rs 450 to Rs 500 per kg.
Administration's Response and Assurance
In response, Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar assured that there is no shortage of resources and that the government is fully capable of ensuring uninterrupted production. He urged industrial organisations to prevent panic among workers and discourage migration, promising that regular supply of PNG and LPG would be ensured.
Adding to this, District Food and Supply Controller Ashok Rawat provided data from Friday, noting that 18,836 domestic category and 119 non-domestic category cylinders were supplied in the district. This information was shared to underscore the administration's efforts in managing the supply chain.
Broader Implications for Gurgaon's Economy
The potential exodus of migrant workers poses a significant threat to Gurgaon's industrial landscape, which heavily depends on this labour force. If not addressed promptly, the LPG supply crisis could lead to:
- Reduced production capacity across factories
- Increased operational costs due to black market reliance
- Long-term labour shortages affecting economic growth
- Heightened uncertainty for MSMEs and larger industries alike
Industry stakeholders are calling for immediate intervention to stabilize the supply chain and protect the workforce, highlighting the interconnectedness of resource availability and industrial sustainability in the region.
