Commercial LPG cylinder price hits Rs 7,000 in black market in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The shortage of commercial LPG cylinders in Karnataka has intensified, pushing the hotel industry into a big crisis. Hotel owners who once received gas cylinders with a simple missed call are now struggling to secure supplies. This has disrupted their daily operations.
Hotel associations have claimed that some middlemen are exploiting the situation by selling LPG cylinders in the black market. In Bengaluru, where the official price of a commercial LPG cylinder is around Rs. 1,900, some traders are reportedly selling it for about Rs. 7,000.
Similar complaints have emerged from Mysuru as well. Hotel owners said that cylinders are being sold in the black market for Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 each, adding to the financial burden on small eateries and restaurants.
316 domestic cylinders seized
The shortage has compelled several hotels to increase food prices. In some places, the unavailability of commercial cylinders has led hotels to illegally use domestic LPG cylinders for cooking purposes. After this, the Food and Civil Supplies Department conducted raids across the state and seized several cylinders. A total of 316 domestic cylinders used for commercial purposes were saized.
Centre warns against storing petrol, diesel in loose containers
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday issued advisory advising citizens not to store petrol or diesel in loose or inappropriate containers, warning that such practices pose serious safety risks. In a post on X, the ministry reiterated that petrol and diesel remain adequately available across the country and urged consumers not to store fuel improperly.