Social Awareness and Voluntary Education (SAVE)

Social Awareness and Voluntary Education (SAVE)
Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
Impact of LPG shortage on Tiruppur home-based workers

Introduction

To understand the lived experiences of home-based working women affected by LPG shortages, four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted among women in selected areas of Tiruppur. FGDs were chosen to explore collective experiences, shared challenges, and coping strategies related to cooking fuel shortages and their impact on livelihoods and household well-being.

3.Women home-based workers depend on timely household routines to balance paid work and domestic responsibilities, making reliable LPG access essential. However, supply disruptions have created significant challenges, affecting daily lives and economic stability. The FGDs provided qualitative evidence on how LPG shortages influence livelihoods, well-being, and energy insecurity among informal workers.

1. Limited access and delays in LPG availability

One of the most prominent findings was the difficulty in accessing LPG cylinders. Booking systems often failed, delivery personnel were unreachable, and participants now need to travel 3–5 kilometres to collect cylinders. Waiting periods ranged

from 25 days to over one month, disrupting household routines. OTP-based delivery systems created additional barriers due to poor mobile network connectivity. LPG shortages further intensified recently, and cylinders that were previously easily available became scarce, especially for large families.

2. Dependence on alternative cooking methods

Households depended on electric stoves, kerosene stoves, firewood stoves, and purchasing food from hotels. However, alternatives were not always practical. Many in rented houses were not allowed to use firewood stoves. The cost of electric stoves increased from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000. Some households purchased cooked food for more than 2 weeks, increasing daily expenses.

3. Food insecurity and nutritional challenges

Participants reported skipping meals, cooking simple meals, sharing leftovers, and borrowing food. Families sometimes went hungry, and the nutritional needs of children were affected. Children were also unable to attend school on time due to delays in cooking.

4. Health impacts due to alternative fuel use

Health problems included headaches, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, exhaustion, cough, and fever among children. Smoke exposure caused respiratory discomfort. Mental health challenges included stress, emotional distress, irritability, and loss of happiness.

5. Increased work burden and time poverty

Participants spent an additional two hours daily on additional tasks, resulting in delays, reduced productivity, and difficulty maintaining their regular routines, which affected work efficiency and income.

6. Financial strain and rising Household Expenses

Participants reported rising LPG and private cylinder prices, increased electricity bills, and higher food costs. Families borrowed money or pledged jewellery, leading to financial insecurity and the inability to save.

7-10. Debt, social constraints, lifestyle changes, and policy expectations

The debt burden increased due to loans and repayment difficulties. Housing restrictions limited cooking options, especially for migrant workers. Households reduced consumption and adjusted routines. Participants expected uniform prices, timely delivery, subsidies, and permanent solutions, emphasising LPG as an essential service.

Summary of key findings

The thematic analysis reveals that LPG shortages among Tiruppur home-based workers resulted in:

• Reduced access to cooking fuel
• Increased reliance on unsafe alternatives
• Food insecurity and nutritional compromise
• Physical and mental health challenges
• Increased time burden and reduced productivity
• Financial stress and debt accumulation
• Social vulnerability among migrant households

Overall, LPG shortages significantly disrupted livelihood security, health, and household well-being, highlighting the urgent need for targeted policy interventions.

Discussions

Findings to literature:

The present study highlights the multifaceted impact of LPG shortages on home-based workers in Tiruppur, revealing implications for household well-being, food security, health, and livelihood stability, consistent with literature on energy poverty and its gendered consequences.

Limited availability of LPG cylinders and delayed delivery forced households to travel long distances or wait extended periods, aligning with findings by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on unequal access to clean cooking fuel and increased reliance on traditional fuels.

Heavy dependence on firewood, kerosene, and electric stoves reflects World Health Organization (WHO) findings on biomass fuel use and associated respiratory illnesses and fatigue. Food insecurity, including skipping meals and reduced food variety, corresponds with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) evidence on energy insecurity affecting cooking capacity and nutrition.

Policy recommendations

1. Strengthen LPG supply and distribution systems

Government agencies and LPG distribution authorities should improve reliable LPG supply systems to ensure timely cylinder availability. Measures should include increasing LPG stock in high-demand areas, ensuring timely delivery of services, monitoring delivery personnel performance, and reducing waiting periods for refilling. Reliable systems will reduce dependence on unsafe alternative fuels.

2. Expand subsidy support for low-income and informal workers

Subsidised LPG cylinders should be provided to vulnerable households, especially home-based workers and migrant families. Strategies include increasing subsidy coverage, providing targeted support for migrant households, introducing emergency subsidies during shortages, and ensuring uniform pricing. 

3. Promote affordable and safe alternatives

Where shortages persist, promote usage of electric or induction stoves, energy-efficient appliances, improved smokeless stoves, and a stable electricity supply. These reduce exposure to harmful smoke and improve safety.

4. Integrate energy into social protection

Energy access should be included in welfare schemes by linking LPG access with poverty programs and providing emergency support during crises.

5. Improve communication systems

Dedicated helplines, multilingual services, and monitored grievance systems should improve accountability and service delivery.

6. Support migrant households

Ensure LPG access regardless of residency status and develop inclusive fuel access systems to reduce vulnerability. 

Increased time burden and reduced productivity support UN Women's findings on “time poverty” among informal women workers. Financial strain, debt accumulation, and borrowing align with World Bank studies on energy price vulnerability. Health impacts from smoke exposure correspond with WHO evidence on household air pollution. Overall, energy insecurity is closely linked to livelihood security, gender equity, and public health, highlighting the need for integrated policy interventions.