BENGALURU: Amid hopes in Karnataka’s hotel industry for the restoration of normal LPG supplies, the state government on Friday ruled out supplying commercial LPG cylinders to hotels for at least the next 7 to 10 days. Instead, hoteliers were advised to temporarily switch to electric stoves for cooking and other operations until the supply situation stabilises. The government assured that LPG supply to hospitals, hostels, and residential schools across the state will continue without disruption.Briefing the Legislative Council, Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa said that, with the limited LPG stock currently available with oil companies, ensuring normal supply of commercial cylinders to hotels is not feasible.“I personally reviewed the situation for an entire day, and it is extremely difficult to supply commercial cylinders to hotels. Hence, we told the hoteliers to patiently wait for 7 to 10 days and instead use electric stoves to meet their business needs during this period,” Muniyappa explained.During the Zero Hour, Congress MLCs Ivan D’Souza and Nagaraj Yadav urged the state government to intervene and ensure regular supply of commercial LPG cylinders to universities, schools, and hoteliers, even demanding a holiday due to the shortage. Responding, Muniyappa reiterated that supplying commercial cylinders to hotels at this stage would be difficult.“With the stock that oil companies are currently maintaining, the government has resolved to supply commercial LPG cylinders to hospitals, hostels, residential schools, and large manufacturing facilities so that there will be no disruption of activities,” he added.Referring to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the blockage of the Hormuz Strait, Muniyappa said:“Two carriers managed to arrive with supplies, while 10 to 12 carriers are currently held up at the Hormuz Strait. It will take considerable time for them to reach our shores. Until then, we have to adjust with whatever supplies we have.”Auto LPG Supply to Remain NormalSeveral legislators raised concerns that the LPG shortage was affecting daily commuting, with autorickshaws reportedly running out of Auto LPG. Addressing these fears, Muniyappa said that all oil companies had been instructed to ensure uninterrupted supply of Auto LPG.“I instructed officials to ensure a steady supply of Auto LPG to autorickshaws and other vehicles at filling stations. There will be no disruption in Auto LPG supply,” the minister clarified.When asked about complaints that several Auto LPG stations had increased prices by Rs 20 to Rs 25 per kilogram, Muniyappa told TOI that he had directed all Deputy Commissioners to closely monitor fuel stations charging excessive rates.“If any citizen complains about fuel prices exceeding government-approved rates, the DCs will raid such stations. Jurisdictional police inspectors have also been instructed to monitor Auto LPG prices. If any agency is found charging exorbitantly, the fuel station will be seized,” he added.
