THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed concern over the availability and rising cost of cooking gas in the country, warning that the situation could place an increasing burden on ordinary households and disrupt the service sector if not addressed urgently.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said concerns over the supply of LPG have intensified against the backdrop of the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
He pointed out that the recent hike in cooking gas prices has already added to the financial strain on common families.
Vijayan noted that reports are emerging from various parts of Kerala about shortages in the supply of domestic LPG cylinders.
The situation has been further aggravated by the restriction that limits the booking interval for domestic LPG connections to 27 days, making it difficult for many households to access timely refills.
The Chief Minister also warned that uncertainty in LPG availability could affect the state's hospitality and food service sector, including hotels and restaurants.