Kumaraswamy rules out LPG, fuel shortage in Mandya, highlights risks of panic-buying

H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries and Mandya MP, has promised that there is no shortage of LPG, petrol, or diesel in the district and urged the public not to panic.

Presiding over the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting at the Mandya Zilla Panchayat on Monday (April 6), he said the district requires about 10,800 domestic LPG cylinders daily, and sufficient stock is available to meet demand.

He said over 15 lakh litres of diesel and 12 lakh litres of petrol are currently available in the district. Warning against panic-buying, Mr. Kumaraswamy urged people not to store fuel in cans, citing safety risks. Instructions have already been issued to petrol bunks not to fill fuel in cans, he added.

However, he acknowledged a shortage in commercial LPG supply, stating that priority is being given to essential institutions such as schools, hostels, and hospitals.

He directed officials to ensure adequate water supply for farmers’ crops.

Reviewing welfare measures, he said 38,517 applications were received for Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards, of which 29,264 have been issued. The Minister also instructed officials to re-examine rejected applications.

Under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, over 17.2 lakh cards have been distributed in the district. Additionally, 347 agri-entrepreneurs have been supported under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme scheme, with the disbursement of loans worth ₹87.65 crore and subsidies worth ₹29.33 crore.

He also said 5.59 lakh workers have registered under the e-Shram scheme, while the district has achieved 155.33% progress under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar said measures have been taken to supply 2 TMC of drinking water per month until June to avoid summer shortages. Vulnerable villages have been identified and arrangements are in place to supply water through private borewells if required, he added.

At present, no village in the district is facing a drinking water crisis, he said.

He also noted that the National Highways Authority has approved 15 foot overbridges, of which seven have been completed, with the remaining works in progress.