West Asia conflict: Bengaluru LPG consumers engage in panic booking
Bengaluru (PTI): Panic enquiries for domestic LPG cylinders have risen at several gas agencies in Bengaluru in the past few days amid concerns over supply disruptions due to the widening West Asia conflict, though dealers said on Wednesday that stocks are adequate as of now.
However, there is an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, forcing several hotels and restaurants in the city to operate under strain, an LPG dealer told PTI.
Hotel and restaurant owners reiterated that they would be forced to shut down once their stock is exhausted.
A representative of Indane distributor, Sri Giridhar Agencies, said there has been no disruption in the supply of LPG cylinders for domestic use.
"Every day we have been receiving loads. There is no disruption in supply. However, we have been getting numerous panic calls from customers enquiring whether there is sufficient stock. Calls for bookings have also gone up," the representative, who did not wish to be identified, said.
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He assured customers that adequate loads were arriving regularly and there was no need for panic.
Several LPG gas dealers in the city said that panic enquiries have also led to advance bookings for LPG cylinders, with many customers opting to secure refills in advance, fearing possible supply disruption due to the widening West Asia conflict.
Ravi Gowda of Balaji Stores, a private cylinder gas agency, said the shop has been receiving many enquiries about LPG availability in the past two days.
"We have been getting a lot of queries related to the availability of LPG cylinders. But we have sufficient stock as of now. We are getting stock on a daily basis, and it can be delivered on an urgent basis," he said.
A representative from Mahhan Enterprises in Uttarahalli attributed the situation to a temporary disruption in supply, saying LPG cylinders had not arrived for about a week, but supplies have now resumed.
"If customers book now, the cylinder will be delivered within four to five days. In case of an emergency, they can also come and collect it directly from the agency," the representative said, adding that there is no major crisis, though deliveries may sometimes be delayed by a day or two.
An LPG dealer, on condition of anonymity, said commercial cylinders are not available and hotels are bearing the brunt, with the Bangalore Hotel Association saying that the hotels and restaurants in the city will be forced to shut down.
"There is a crisis for commercial cylinders, but there is no problem with the domestic supply. Earlier, we used to supply within two or three days, but now, after the crisis, we cannot deny supplies for domestic use. One cylinder lasts about a month for a household, so they have fixed a 30-day time period for stock here. People may panic, so this has to be handled carefully," he told PTI.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday sought the Centre's urgent intervention to ensure the supply of adequate commercial LPG cylinders to hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru.
He said hotels, restaurants and catering establishments in the city would be forced to suspend operations if supplies are not restored, affecting a large number of students and working professionals who depend on them for regular meals.
In his letter to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, he also requested that appropriate directions be given to the oil marketing companies to address the current supply constraints and help ease the situation.
Referring to the March 9 order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas prioritising LPG supply for domestic consumers, Siddaramaiah said while the intention behind the order to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to households across the country is well understood and appreciated, its implementation appears to have led to an unintended shortage of commercial LPG in Bengaluru.
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BJP insulting Sanatan traditions: Akhilesh on 'restrictions' for Avimukteshwaranand's Lucknow event
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the conditions imposed for a programme led by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in the state capital, accusing it of insulting Sanatan traditions.
The seer is scheduled to address a gathering in Lucknow later on Wednesday as part of his campaign seeking the status of "rashtra mata" (national mother) for the cow and a complete ban on cow slaughter across the country.
Local authorities have granted permission for the event titled 'Gau Pratishtha Dhwaj Sthapana, Dharm Yudh Shankhnaad Sabha' with approximately 26 conditions.
Reacting to the conditions, Yadav took to social media and mocked the restrictions, saying the government might as well specify "how many centimetres one can open their eyes and mouth."
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According to the organisers, the guidelines include restrictions on inflammatory speeches against any religion, caste, community or language, a ban on abusive remarks against political or religious figures, and directions that minors should not be asked to raise controversial slogans.
Other conditions require that no prohibited items be brought to the venue, except for traditional flags, private security arrangements are made, and that fire safety, traffic regulations, noise pollution norms, and environmental guidelines are observed. Organisers have also been asked to ensure that traffic is not disrupted and to cover the costs of police deployment and venue arrangements.
"Someone does not like something and therefore piles up conditions," Akhilesh said in the post, accusing the BJP government of insulting Sanatan traditions and imposing "illogical restrictions".
The former chief minister also questioned the reference to COVID-related protocols in the guidelines, asking, "Is COVID-19 still around? If so, the government should indicate in which of its own meetings or BJP events these rules were last adhered to," adding that such irrational restrictions indicate a weak government.
Responding to the remarks ahead of the programme, Avimukteshwaranand said one should not focus on the language used by political leaders but rather on the practicality of the conditions.
Taking a swipe at some of the conditions, the seer said that certain guidelines appeared 'unrealistic'.
"One could ask why people here are not following the COVID rules? Everyone should stand apart and speak from a distance. But since COVID is not present now, such rules are not required," he said.
"If COVID guidelines must be followed, why are they not being enforced at railway stations, airports, or in public spaces? Even the administration is not wearing masks. It seems they only want to silence us," and emphasised that guidelines should be practical to follow.
The seer reached Lucknow on Tuesday evening as part of his ongoing march for cow protection that began in Varanasi on March 6 and passed through several districts before arriving in the state capital.
Soon after his arrival, Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra met him and expressed support for his campaign.
Speaking to PTI Videos after the meeting, Mehrotra said the seer had announced a "dharma yudh" (religious struggle) and that his party stood with him in what he called a fight for truth and justice.
"It is a matter of good fortune that the revered Shankaracharya has come to Lucknow and will stay here tonight. He represents Lord Shiva and is a centre of faith for crores of Hindus," he said.
Mehrotra said his party supported the demand to grant the cow the status of "rashtra mata", arguing that such recognition would ensure that cow slaughter stops.
"The demand is for an immediate stop to cow slaughter. We are prepared to make any sacrifices in this struggle," he said.
Additionally, he stated that if their demands are not met, the issue would be addressed politically in the future.
"If the government changes in 2027 under Akhilesh Yadav's leadership, the first cabinet meeting will decide to declare the cow as 'rashtra mata,' " he added.
