CITU Calls for Workplace-Level Demonstrations Demanding Immediate Concrete Measures to Restore Normalcy!
India is currently facing a severe LPG–LNG supply and price crisis, pushing households into panic and disrupting industrial production across several sectors. In recent months, LPG cylinder prices have repeatedly risen, crossing ₹1,000-1,100 per domestic cylinder in many cities, while commercial cylinders have seen sharp fluctuations, increasing costs for small businesses, eateries and transport sectors. Shortage of LPG in distribution chains has led to long waiting periods for refill cylinders and a resurgence of black-marketing, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Instead of ensuring stable procurement, storage, and price regulation, the Modi Government’s policy of deregulation, excessive dependence on volatile international LNG markets, and neglect of public sector energy security mechanisms has deepened the crisis, pushing both households and productive sectors into severe distress.
The shameful surrender of national interests and the blatant subservience to the strategic dictum of US imperialism by the Modi Government have added to this crisis further. This surrender has effectively thrust India into an uncomfortable relationship with its long-standing ally, Iran, and has made it vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world’s most crucial energy transit routes - due to the ongoing war in West Asia. India imports more than 60% of its LPG requirements, and about 85–90% of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Central Government has issued the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, through which “supplies have been prioritised for domestic PNG, CNG used in transport, and LPG production, with these segments receiving close to 100% of their recent consumption (average for the last six months), while industrial and commercial users may be limited to roughly 80% of their recent consumption.”
However, the situation on the ground shows that this order and its implementation are failing to arrest the impact of the supply chain disruptions. There are reports of panic in almost every part of the country due to LPG cylinder shortages.
Many industries, such as the ceramics industry, have been forced to halt production due to these disruptions. Similarly, fertiliser companies are particularly vulnerable because urea production relies heavily on imported LNG. Disruptions in fertiliser supply can wreak havoc on the upcoming kharif crop season by increasing input shortages and costs. Restaurants and hotels are also suffering heavily due to LPG shortages, with establishments in cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru already warning of possible closures.
The overall impact of these disruptions can extend across sectors and spheres, including unorganised sector workers (such as street vendors and many workers who rely on loose LPG refilling, or road transport workers who depend on CNG) and food delivery workers. This may ultimately assume cascading proportions, putting millions of livelihoods under threat.
The situation demands the utmost seriousness and concrete measures from the Central Government to resolve the issue. Instead, the government is misleading the country with claims that the situation is under control.
In such a situation, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) calls upon the Indian working class to organize strong workplace-level demonstrations demanding the following:
- Ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG, LNG, and other oil and natural gas products.
- Control and manage supply chain disruptions on a war footing and intervene effectively to prevent any attempts at hoarding and black-marketing.
- Organise stakeholder meetings, including representatives from the various sectors affected by the disruption.
- Take immediate steps to halt the cascading impact on unorganised sector workers, including street vendors and road transport workers.
- Ensure wages and allowances for workers who are laid off during this period due to supply chain disruptions.
The Central Government must issue daily status papers on the availability of various segments of oil and natural gas so as to arrest public panic.
CITU units and affiliated unions will hold strong demonstrations at all workplaces and in localities along with other sections of the population affected by the disruption. The Government of India must respond to the situation effectively.
CITU units are also directed to initiate and organise stakeholder meetings and send joint memorandums with the above-mentioned demands to the Central Government, demanding immediate intervention.
Issued By
Elamaram Kareem
General Secretary
