Karnataka Urges Center Amid LPG Crisis Fueled by West Asia Conflict

Faced with an acute shortage of commercial LPG cylinders due to escalating tensions in West Asia, Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao appealed to the central government for decisive measures and clarity on supply chains. He criticized India's perceived alignment with Israel and the United States over the Iran conflict.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Rao stressed the importance of immediate government intervention to guarantee continuous LPG and natural gas supply. He stated, "The implications of the Iran conflict are significant for us, requiring transparent strategies and preemptive actions to avoid disrupting our supply chains." He further condemned the central government's "pro-Israel and America" stance, urging collaboration to navigate the crisis.

Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad reinforced the call for practical solutions, noting reports on existing LPG stocks lasting only for 12 to 16 weeks. Lad questioned the national strategy and underscored the need for government transparency. Meanwhile, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sent an urgent plea to Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to address the pressing LPG shortage affecting local businesses.

The disruption in supply, allegedly due to a new directive prioritizing domestic LPG, comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by joint US-Israel military action. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting US and Israeli interests. The conflict has since extended to Lebanon, further destabilizing the region.