On Labour Day, Noida to hand over 15k small LPG cylinders in factories

Noida: Weeks after a violent labour unrest in the city, when workers pointed to rising LPG prices as one more blow to already stretched household budgets, the district administration has decided to distribute 15,000 5kg free trade cylinders among factory and migrant workers, especially those who do not have regular domestic gas connections.Officials said camps will be set up in industrial clusters so workers can access the smaller cylinders at a lower entry cost.District supply officer Smriti Gautam said the drive began on April 8 in migrant-dense areas through social organisations and gas agencies, but has now been redirected towards factory belts after worker concerns came to the fore. “These camps are now being designed specifically to reach factory workers,” she added.The 5kg cylinders, commonly called ‘chotu cylinders’, cost Rs 1,550. Of this, Rs 900 is a refundable security deposit, while the rest covers the refill. Officials said more than 50,000 such cylinders have already been distributed in factory-dominated areas this month through industrial associations and gas agencies working.The Labour Day programme also includes a wider package of welfare measures. District magistrate Medha Roopam said crèches will be opened at 43 factories and ambulance rooms or dispensaries at 79 industrial units. “Five digital skill-development buses will also be launched so factory workers can enrol for upskilling,” she added.According to her, skill training and supplementary classes for labourers’ families will run during second shifts in 40 govt schools, while 25 enrolment camps under the School Chalo Abhiyan will help bring workers’ children into govt schools.The health department will distribute three lakh sanitary pads and flag off 25 mobile medical vans under the chief minister’s Arogya Rath programme in worker-dense residential pockets. A total of 201 Shramik Arogya Camps will be held, with free medical services through 31 on-site multi-super-speciality hospitals.Chief medical officer Narendra Kumar said the health push would remain focused on labour-intensive industrial areas. The administration will also inaugurate 25 health ATMs, four advanced life support ambulances and lay foundation stones for five porta-clinics.Initiatives by Noida admin on Labour DayDistribution of 15,000 five-kg LPG cylinders to factory workersInauguration of crèches in 43 factories and ambulance rooms/dispensaries in 79 industrial unitsLaunch of 5 digital skill-development buses for worker upskillingSkill development and supplementary classes in 40 government schools25 School Chalo Abhiyan enrolment camps for workers’ childrenDistribution of 3 lakh sanitary padsFlagging off of 25 mobile medical vans under the Arogya Rath programme201 Shramik Arogya Camps and free medical services through 31 on-site multi-super specialty hospitals25 Health ATMs for quick screening and foundation stones for 5 porta-clinicsLaunch of 4 advanced life support ambulances26 bank camps in labour settlements for savings and Jan Dhan account openingFinancial literacy sessions on UPI, fraud prevention and health insurance