Bengaluru, March 23 (NationPress) In a significant relief for hotel operators, the Karnataka government announced on Monday an expansion in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, with an additional allocation of 1,000 cylinders to the current supply.

Following a meeting held in Bengaluru with representatives from gas companies and hotel associations, K.H. Muniyappa, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, stated that the total supply of commercial LPG cylinders in the state will now reach 10,000. This decision aims to alleviate supply issues and enhance distribution efficiency across various sectors.

Muniyappa emphasized that all commercial gas users are now required to register with the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). He mentioned that users have until next week to finalize their registration, warning that failure to do so would lead to the suspension of commercial gas supplies. This initiative is designed to prevent irregularities and allow for better tracking of usage.

The minister confirmed that the 10,000 cylinders will be allocated to all sectors utilizing commercial gas, which includes hotels, dhabas, hostels, paying guest accommodations, and Indira Canteens. He also announced plans for a follow-up meeting with hotel owners next Monday to assess the ongoing situation.

Until recently, approximately 1,000 cylinders were primarily designated for hotels; however, the new allocation will facilitate a broader range of establishments.

In response to hotel owners' requests for a reduction in electricity tariffs, Muniyappa indicated that he had not yet received such a proposal. Nevertheless, he acknowledged receiving letters from hotel associations to the Chief Minister requesting a Rs 2 per unit decrease in power charges, assuring that he would bring the matter to the Chief Minister's attention.

Reiterating the new regulatory measures, the minister stressed that registration with GAIL is mandatory for all commercial cylinder users, and that authorities will monitor consumption patterns through this system. The registration deadline has been established for next Saturday.

Last Thursday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reached out to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri requesting immediate action to improve the supply of both commercial LPG and Auto LPG in Bengaluru due to an escalating shortage.

In his correspondence, the Chief Minister underscored that the disruption in commercial LPG supply is a result of recent directives from the Union Ministry prioritizing the distribution of domestic LPG. He noted that the state government is aligning its actions with the Centre's guidelines to ensure that essential sectors receive prioritized supply.

However, Siddaramaiah pointed out a stark imbalance between demand and supply. With a daily requirement of around 50,000 LPG cylinders for restaurants, hotels, catering services, and paying guest accommodations, only 1,000 cylinders are currently being provided, leading to increased closures of establishments due to the unavailability of commercial LPG.