Bengaluru, March 11 Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa cautioned LPG refill dealers on Wednesday against resorting to "blackmail or blackmarketing" amid the LPG crisis.
He also clarified that gas dealers cannot deny consumers one cylinder a month, amid concerns over supply disruptions in parts of the state.
"At this juncture, I am telling all distributors through you (the media) that no one should attempt to blackmail or engage in black marketing. Such activities will not be tolerated. We will take action; we will not allow it to go so easily," he told reporters at the airport.
Muniyappa urged distributors to cooperate with the government during the current situation and refrain from any practices that could create panic among consumers.
"In this difficult time, rather than immediately taking action, I am making an appeal: do not engage in such activities and cooperate during this period of hardship," he said.
Muniyappa also said that oil marketing companies have assured that there is no directive to restrict domestic LPG supplies or halt distribution.
"Distributors cannot deny consumers one cylinder a month. That is the assurance given by the oil companies. Therefore, they will neither insist on such a restriction, nor have they said that supply will be completely stopped," the minister said.