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HYDERABAD: Bangle factory owners are facing production losses due to the unavailability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at affordable prices, while the government has long restricted natural gas supply, even for domestic consumers.
Sindh’s traditional bangle industry is largely based in Hyderabad, and many home-based workers are associated with it to earn their livelihood. Either LPG remains unavailable or is being sold at exorbitant rates in the market.
LPG unavailability was primarily due to a human tragedy that struck a middle-class neighbourhood in Paretabad on May 30, 2024, resulting in 27 deaths, including 19 children. Following the tragedy, the administration launched a crackdown on illegal LPG sales, which significantly reduced supply.
“We often have to shut the factory because glass bangles pile up for value addition,” said Glass Bangle Manufacturers Association President Saleem Khan. “Since women are not able to complete the remaining part of raw bangles, the stocks produced in factories remained unutilised. He added that factories also receive zero gas supply during peak hours.
