The process of issuing new domestic LPG connections was halted following the global LPG crisis, leaving eligible households waiting for connections for several months, say Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad has urged Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri to direct oil marketing companies to resume the issuance of new domestic LPG connections in Karnataka, citing around 36,000 pending applications as of August 2026.
In a letter to Mr. Puri, Mr. Arshad said the process of issuing new domestic LPG connections had been halted following the global LPG crisis, leaving eligible households waiting for connections for several months.
He said Karnataka had witnessed significant population growth, urbanisation and expansion of residential settlements, resulting in a growing demand for new connections. Newly formed households, migrant workers, low-income families and residents of developing urban and peri-urban areas were among those affected.
Indoor air pollution
Mr. Arshad cautioned that prolonged delays could compel households to depend on traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal, exposing women, children and the elderly to indoor air pollution and increasing the risk of household accidents. The shortage of new connections could also impede efforts to ensure access to clean cooking fuel for all eligible households, he said.
Highlighting the difficulties faced by middle-class and economically weaker families, Mr. Arshad said the significant price difference between domestic LPG cylinders and five-kg cylinders made the latter difficult to afford for many households. He also warned that the non-availability of new connections could encourage illegal activities.
Pointing to the growing demand in rapidly developing cities, particularly Bengaluru, he said employees in the IT and biotechnology sectors and families moving into newly developed residential areas could face difficulties in securing domestic LPG connections.
Subject to applicable guidelines
Mr. Arshad requested the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to facilitate the release of an adequate number of new connections in consultation with oil marketing companies, subject to applicable guidelines and verification procedures.
He also sought a district-wise assessment of the additional requirement in consultation with the Karnataka government and urged the Centre to expedite action in the larger public interest.
Published - October 16, 2026 10:13 pm IST