3 months ago
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The Karnataka Legislative Assembly connected Wednesday (March 11, 2026) witnessed an uproar implicit the crisis successful commercialized LPG cylinders, with the ruling Congress blaming the Centre’s policies portion the Opposition BJP accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of supporting hoteliers’ determination to unopen down operations.
During Zero Hour, H.D. Ranganath (Kunigal) of the Congress drew attraction to the LPG contented and claimed that a home cylinder which earlier outgo ₹900 is present priced astatine ₹1,800. He besides alleged that a commercialized cylinder that utilized to outgo ₹2,000 is present being sold for ₹4,000, and blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “weak overseas policy”, triggering protests from BJP members.
BJP members objected to the Congress “politicising” the LPG crisis, which they said had been caused by outer factors.
‘What has Modi said?’
At this point, RDPR and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge, responding to the Opposition, questioned the relevance of the NDA government’s economical and overseas policies. “Where is Modi? Has helium said anything? Mr. Modi wishes the Indian team, but wherefore is helium not talking astir this issue? Why did you invoke the Essential Commodities Act (ESMA)?” helium asked, criticising the NDA authorities implicit the existent crisis.
Immediately, BJP members roseate successful protest. V. Sunil Kumar (BJP) intervened and said that galore countries were facing akin problems owed to the war. “We are besides worried,” helium said, adding that the Congress authorities was not susceptible of solving galore of its ain problems successful the State.
He further alleged that soil was not disposable successful coastal districts, determination were server problems successful authorities offices, medicines were unavailable successful hospitals, and the authorities was incapable to wage salaries to employees.
An irked Mr. Siddaramaiah criticised the Centre for expanding cylinder prices and invoking ESMA provisions.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok alleged that the Chief Minister had “incited” hoteliers to unopen down their businesses arsenic a people of protest. Mr. Ashok said that the Chief Minister had asked hoteliers to spell connected onslaught — a complaint Mr. Siddaramaiah powerfully denied. “All I said to the property was that the hoteliers’ basal to protestation was justified. I did not incite them,” the CM said.
Muniyappa’s response
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister K.H. Muniyappa, who chaired a gathering with lipid and state companies — including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and GAIL (India) Limited — said determination was nary shortage of home LPG cylinders successful Karnataka. However, helium noted that the proviso of commercialized cylinders could look disruptions.
K.H. Muniyappa | Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Minister explained that the ongoing struggle successful West Asia had disrupted planetary shipping routes, peculiarly successful the Gulf region. However, helium clarified that home LPG supplies would stay unchangeable and urged consumers not to panic oregon hoard cylinders.
To show the concern closely, helium said elder officials of the section would clasp play reappraisal meetings with lipid companies.
He added that a 14.2-kg home LPG cylinder tin past astir one-and-a-half months for a household of 4 to 5 members if utilized carefully. The section would instrumentality each indispensable steps to forestall large disruptions successful LPG supply, helium said, urging consumers not to panic oregon prosecute successful hoarding.
In a uncommon instance, BJP members applauded Mr. Muniyappa’s connection by thumping their desks.
