Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. LPG shortage crisis: Only tea and coffee at Bengaluru eateries, other Karnataka regions to feel the pinch soon

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and rising global oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, several small eateries in Bengaluru limited their services to tea and coffee on Tuesday (March 10, 2026), citing uncertainty over the supply of commercial LPG cylinders. Several restaurants informed that they received messages from gas dealers stating that supplies would remain unavailable until further notice, creating panic among hoteliers.

However, establishments connected to piped gas networks have not been affected so far. According to the Bengaluru Hotels association, about 10–15% of hotels and restaurants in the city receive piped gas from GAIL (India) Limited and continue to get uninterrupted supply. While restaurants in the State capital are already staring at a crisis, hoteliers in Mysuru, Shivamogga and north Karnataka districts expect to feel the impact of the disruption in the next couple of days.

2. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah flags commercial LPG disruption in Bengaluru, writes to Union Minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri seeking urgent intervention to address the disruption in supply of commercial LPG to hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru. He said the shortage would particularly impact students and working professionals living away from homes who depend on hotels and mess facilities.

He said the problem appeared to have arisen following a revised order issued by the Ministry on March 9, which prioritises LPG production for domestic consumers. While the intention behind the order — to ensure uninterrupted supply to households — was appreciated, its implementation had led to an unintended shortage of commercial LPG in Bengaluru, he said.

3. Accepted finance portfolio for the first time at Deve Gowda’s insistence: CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged that it was because of then Chief Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s insistence that he took on the responsibility of the Finance portfolio in 1994. Mr. Siddaramaiah, who has presented 17 State Budgets so far, said this incident had resulted in him continuing with that portfolio subsequently.

“I was keen to handle the revenue portfolio. But senior leader R.L. Jalappa opted for it...after Mr. Gowda became the Chief Minister. Hence Mr. Gowda persuaded me to take up finance portfolio, saying that he wanted someone trustworthy to handle it. Though I did not know anything about finances, I took up the portfolio as he insisted,” the Chief Minister told the Legislative Assembly.

4. Citing misuse, DG issues circular to regulate special interview for prisoners in Karnataka

In a move aimed at preventing misuse of provisions allowing special interviews for inmates, Director General of Police (Prisons and Correctional Services) Alok Kumar issued a circular on March 9 streamlining the procedure for granting such interviews in prisons across Karnataka. The circular directs all prison heads to follow a stricter procedure before granting special interviews.

According to the order, special interviews may be allowed under specific situations, such as serious illness or immobility of a prisoner due to injury, where interviews may be allowed once a month; death or medical emergency in the family, after proper verification; humanitarian grounds, such as when visitors are pregnant women or persons with disabilities.