As the price of LPG cylinders has increased, many daily wage labourers are now forced into the heartbreaking dilemma of choosing whether to buy food or cooking fuel due to rapid increases in gas prices. Many migrant workers from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have made the decision to leave Delhi and move back to their home states as they can no longer afford the price of daily necessities on their earnings of Rs 500-800/day.
The families earning between Rs 500 and Rs 800/day are facing tremendous hardships trying to feed themselves with two modest meals daily, but because of these challenges, many families will be unable to achieve this goal, as they will continue to struggle financially.
ALSO READ: 'If India Tries To...': Pakistan's Khawaja Asif Threatens To Strike Kolkata In Future Conflict
Sanjugta, a migrant worker, while waiting for her train at the Old Delhi railway station, said, "We are going back to our village for my brother's wedding." Later, while wiping tears off her face with her dupatta, she said, "There is no wedding. We just can't afford to buy an Rs 600 LPG gas cylinder when I earn Rs 200 a day. I can't feed myself or my family here anymore. What is the point?"
Recommended For You
Her husband was standing by her side, carrying sacks of utensils, when she was headed back to her hometown in the Boria District of Haryana. "My factory closed down. My wife works as a domestic helper and earns around Rs 5,000. We may have to go back to farming; at least we will survive somehow," NDTV quoted her husband.
The global fuel disruption that began as a result of the Iran war has now permeated into the everyday lives of people in India, affecting both Industry and Domestic households. Many have centred on the issues of survival rather than supply.
The availability of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has become increasingly irregular, and when you do manage to get it refilled, the wait times have increased substantially. Combined with the increased cost of fuel in the black market makes it more difficult than ever to cook using LPG, which was once a very economical way to get food
A 14-kilogram cylinder retails at just over Rs 900 in Delhi today; however, when one has no means to get an authorised LPG cylinder, they are forced to purchase their gas from an informal seller. This creates a tremendous amount of price fluctuation, as well as creates very high prices for the consumer.
Affordable food establishments are either closing their doors or reducing their operating hours, and many more small food establishments in the city are increasing their food costs due to increased fuel costs.
Students, low-income families and others are having to find ways to cut and reduce all estimates where possible.
Migrant workers constantly change and frequently rent homes; they have a very difficult time obtaining an authorised LPG connection for their new homes.
Although piped natural gas (PNG) is available as an energy source, it continues to remain out of reach for many individuals. This is particularly evident in areas that have been identified as unauthorised colonies and/or where the rental housing stock is dense. A PNG connection costs approximately Rs 7,000 per household, making it not a feasible energy source for tenants who frequently relocate and are on long-term leases.
While authorities claim that LPG is currently available on a stable basis and have downplayed LPG shortages, individuals who are affected by these decisions indicated that the real issues impacting them are affordability and access. As a result of delayed delivery, no documentation available to facilitate the delivery, and reliance on expensive informal markets, the most disadvantaged individuals experience disproportionate impacts as a result of these government policies.
"Once again, we are being forced to rely on firewood because of an inefficient government," stated Akhilesh Yadav, leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), referring to the challenges faced by migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.