The black market in cooking gas cylinders has made it difficult to make ends meet, leaving workers unable to meet their expenses with their income.
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Amidst the energy crisis caused by conflicts in West Asia, domestic workers in India are left wondering whether to leave the capital, New Delhi.
The black market in cooking gas cylinders has made it difficult to make ends meet, leaving workers with little income to support themselves.
Dozens of construction workers, who have been cooking chapatis on smoky fires using wood pellets since dawn, say they are ready to return home.
“When the money runs out, we will go straight home,” said Milan Kumar Mandal, who has to travel 1,100 kilometers to Katihar in Bihar.
According to the 2011 census and government estimates, there are more than 450 million domestic migrant workers in India. They are considered the backbone of the informal economy.
Most of the workers migrate seasonally from poor states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to cities like Delhi in search of construction, factory and daily wage jobs.
India is heavily dependent on energy imports. About 60 percent of its LPG needs are met through imports. The war has affected the supply chain.
Although the government claims that there is no shortage of LPG and that it is providing gas to the vulnerable, migrant workers say they are being deprived of it.
According to government rules, a family can have only one registered LPG connection. In the case of migrant workers, that is in their village.
They are the most affected by the price hike due to their uncertain income and low savings.
Mandal earns around Rs 600-700 per day. But LPG is so expensive that it is difficult to meet expenses. Gas is available in the black market at prices up to five times higher.
“Earlier, gas was Rs 80-90 per kg. Now it has gone up to Rs 300-400, sometimes Rs 500,” said Mandal.
According to Rajiv Kumar Pandit, a leader of the workers’ union, many domestic migrant workers have already left the city.
‘The situation is very bad,’ he said, ‘The wages are irregular, gas is not available, the price is very high.’
Ramesh Kumar Mahato from Bihar is also preparing to return home after receiving his wages.
‘I am not thinking of returning to Delhi now,’ he said, ‘This crisis has made savings uncertain.’
