Bhubaneswar: Students and migrant labourers in Odisha can now easily obtain 5 kg LPG cylinders and refills by producing a valid identity proof, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has stated.
The facility is being provided under the Centre’s Free Trade LPG (FTL) scheme, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups such as students living in hostels or rented accommodations and migrant workers who often lack a regular domestic LPG connection or address proof.
According to the minister, a 5 kg LPG cylinder will be available at Rs 1,537, while a refill will cost Rs 593. These small cylinders will be sold only through company-authorised filling stations of oil marketing companies — BPCL, HPCL, and IOCL — and not in the open market.
The state government issued this clarification after an initial announcement restricting open-market sales of 5 kg cylinders (to curb black marketing) caused concern among students and migrant workers.
Officials have now made it clear that there is no ban on these cylinders for genuine users. Students and migrant labourers can purchase them from authorised distributors by showing only a valid ID proof (such as Aadhaar, student ID, voter card, or labour card). Address proof is not required.
The Centre has also doubled the daily allocation of 5 kg Free Trade LPG cylinders to states to ensure steady supply, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where many migrants and students reside.Oil companies are organising special distribution camps wherever needed to make the cylinders easily accessible.
