LPG shortage: Karnataka Minister appeals to people not to panic
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday appealed to the public not to panic over the LPG supply situation and urged hotels to switch to electric stoves temporarily, saying the government is taking steps to manage the shortage while ensuring uninterrupted supply to essential services.
The state is facing an LPG refill shortage in the wake of the conflict in West Asia.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said the hotel sector remains an important concern, but alternative arrangements can help tide over the situation.
“Regarding the issue of hotels, it is a very important matter. Even earlier, I had said, and I am saying it even today, that electric stoves should be used. Hotel owners have the opportunity to use electric stoves,” he said.
Muniyappa said about 1,000 LPG cylinders per day are being earmarked for the hotel industry after setting aside supplies for essential services. These cylinders will be distributed through existing associations, distributor registers and hotel registrations so that workers in the service sector are able to access food during the ongoing supply constraints.
He expressed hope that the situation would improve soon as additional shipments are expected.
“If we manage this for one week, the movement has already improved considerably. More ships are expected to arrive, and through that we hope the situation will improve from next week,” he said, urging hotels to at least ensure that their staff can access meals during the interim period.
The minister also cautioned consumers against panic booking or attempting to double their regular LPG registrations.
“They should not fall into unnecessary panic. They should not try to double their normal registrations unnecessarily. When the situation is serious, we must learn to limit our consumption,” he said.
Muniyappa said the Central government has permitted the state to use about 9,500 LPG cylinders per day, which will be distributed by the three oil marketing companies according to the existing distribution system.
Of these, 4,200 cylinders are allocated for essential services and another 4,200 cylinders for regular domestic consumption, which he said has not been reduced.
In addition, about 1,200 cylinders are being supplied to government and public sector institutions such as airports, railways, bus stands, Karnataka Milk Federation, and Indira Canteen.
He said sectors including hospitals, educational institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, seed-processing units, fisheries, airlines and railway canteens are receiving full supply as part of essential services. Together, these sectors account for around 5,200 cylinders daily.
Muniyappa added that the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is aware of the situation and steps are already underway to stabilise supply, noting that ship movements have begun.
“In this meeting, it was decided that essential services will receive 100 per cent supply, and the companies have agreed,” he said.
Reiterating his appeal to the public, the minister said responsible consumption and avoiding panic booking would help the government manage supplies until normalcy returns in the coming days.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
