Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, March 13: Karnataka food and civil supplies minister K H Muniyappa has assured that domestic LPG supply remains stable across the state, even as commercial cylinders for hotels will not be available for at least a week due to limited stock.
Addressing the Karnataka Legislative Council during the ‘zero hour’ on Friday, Muniyappa called the situation “inevitable” and advised hotel owners to temporarily use electric stoves for preparing essential food items. He expressed hope that the shortage of commercial cylinders would ease within 10 days.
The minister was responding to concerns raised by members M. Nagaraju and Ivan D’Souza, who highlighted that the shortage has severely affected hotels—forcing some to shut down and others to reduce menus. They also flagged disruptions in food preparation at paying guest accommodations, prasada distribution at temples, and even autorickshaw operations, alongside reports of black market sales and rising firewood prices.
Muniyappa said he had met with oil marketing companies earlier in the day and assured the House that the limited supply of commercial cylinders would be prioritised for hospitals, hostels, and residential schools.
“Wherever there is a dire requirement for cylinders, we will supply them on a priority basis,” he said, urging hotel owners to wait until the situation stabilises.
To prevent hoarding and black marketing, deputy commissioners and the director general of police have been instructed to maintain strict vigilance. Two LPG tanker ships have already reached India from the Strait of Hormuz, with around 12 more expected soon. Plans have been drawn up to streamline supply once additional stock arrives.
The Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has also warned of strict action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, instructing deputy commissioners to monitor storage centres and transportation. Consumers are urged not to panic book cylinders.
Meanwhile, GAIL Gas Limited confirmed that Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply in Bengaluru remains uninterrupted. Industries, hotels, and commercial establishments connected to the PNG network will continue to receive supply, and users dependent on commercial LPG can switch to PNG connections within about two months, subject to network availability. GAIL is expanding its pipeline network across the city to enable more consumers to shift to cleaner and more efficient fuel.
A Government of India notification allows industrial and commercial users to receive up to 80% of their average gas consumption over the past six months, while domestic and CNG segments continue to receive full supply.
The state government emphasised that domestic LPG supply is stable and essential services will continue uninterrupted, while commercial cylinders will be restored to hotels once stock levels stabilise.