Bengaluru: D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday said the Karnataka LPG shortage will be discussed in the upcoming state cabinet meeting, while calling on the Union government to take immediate steps to stabilise supply.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the shortage of LPG refills has created hardships for households and farmers, particularly in rural areas. He emphasised that the issue requires urgent attention as people are struggling to access cooking fuel.
The deputy chief minister attributed the supply disruption to the ongoing tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have affected global energy logistics. According to him, the situation has already led to difficulties in obtaining LPG cylinders across parts of the state.
Shivakumar criticised the lack of response from opposition leaders at the national level, stating that the problem should be addressed immediately to prevent further inconvenience to the public.
He warned that if the shortage continues, many families in villages may be forced to return to using firewood for cooking. While governments have long encouraged a shift away from traditional fuels for environmental and health reasons, the absence of LPG could compel residents to adopt older methods again, he added.
The Karnataka government is expected to deliberate on possible measures during the cabinet meeting while pressing the Centre to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to the state.