Karnataka has urged the Centre to expedite around 36,000 pending applications for new domestic LPG connections, with the state citing stalled processing after the global LPG crisis and affordability concerns around smaller cylinders.
Food and civil supplies minister Rizwan Arshad raised the issue with Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri and asked the Centre to prioritise Karnataka’s requirements. He also sought directions to oil marketing companies to issue connections to eligible households.
Arshad highlighted the price difference between standard domestic LPG cylinders and 5kg cylinders. According to the minister, the smaller cylinders remain difficult to afford for middle-class and economically weaker families, leaving applicants dependent on limited or more expensive alternatives while their connection requests remain pending.
The minister warned that continued refusal or delay in issuing new domestic LPG connections could lead to illegal activities. His remarks come as authorities in Bengaluru investigate the alleged unauthorised storage of a large number of LPG cylinders.
Based on a complaint by food inspector Prasanna Kumar C, Bagalagunte police in Bengaluru North registered an FIR against Prashanth of Bhairaveshwara Enterprises in T Dasarahalli. Police seized 528 cylinders after the accused allegedly failed to produce bills relating to their purchase from oil marketing companies and private firms.
The FIR and seizure are separate from the state’s request for faster household connections, but both developments point to the administrative and safety consequences surrounding access to cooking fuel. The state has asked the Union petroleum ministry to respond by accelerating applications and ensuring that eligible households can obtain regular domestic LPG connections.
The next steps will depend on directions from the Centre and the response of oil marketing companies to Karnataka’s request. The police investigation into the seized cylinders is also continuing.
