Lay siege to PM’s residence, says CM after auto drivers set deadline over LPG shortage issue

: Autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru have set a deadline until Monday for the State government to normalise the supply of auto LPG, warning of intensified protests if their demands are not met.

The drivers have threatened to lay siege to the residence of Food and Civil Supplies Minister K. H. Muniyappa if the crisis persists beyond the stipulated time.

The city has been witnessing a shortage of LPG for autorickshaws over the past two days, with drivers queueing up for kilometres outside fuel stations. The disruption in supply is being attributed to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has affected fuel logistics and availability.

Raghu Narayan Gowda, State president of the Peace Auto Union, alleged that the current crisis had been exacerbated by the diversion of LPG supplies to the hotel industry.

“When the LPG shortage began, hotel associations held meetings and warned the government of a shutdown. Following this, their allocation was increased from 50% to 70%. We believe that the LPG meant for autorickshaws is being diverted to them,” he charged.

Expressing frustration over the situation, Mr. Gowda said autorickshaw unions had decided to launch protests. “We are giving the government time until Monday. If supplies are not restored by then, we will be forced to lay siege to the Minister’s residence,” he added.

Reacting to the unions’ warning, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the protest should instead be directed at the Centre. “Instead of laying siege to our Minister’s house, they should lay siege to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence,” he remarked.

Mr. Siddaramaiah maintained that the responsibility of ensuring adequate LPG supply was with the Central government.

“The State government is only responsible for distribution. The Centre must take action to address the shortage,” he said, reiterating that the issue stemmed from supply constraints beyond the State’s control.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Mr. Muniyappa acknowledged the difficulties faced by autorickshaw drivers due to long queues outside LPG stations. He urged private oil companies to sell auto LPG at rates comparable to those offered by public sector outlets.

According to the Minister, higher prices at private fuel stations had pushed drivers towards government-run outlets, resulting in overcrowding.

“Around 3,000 auto LPG cylinders are consumed daily, and these are currently being supplied by government outlets,” he said, while also appealing to the Centre to regulate private LPG suppliers to ease the burden on drivers.