Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Amid LPG shortage, small eateries in Bengaluru buy domestic cylinders in black at ₹5,000

Amid ongoing LPG supply disruptions, many small-scale eateries have started procuring domestic LPG cylinders at prices as high as ₹5,000 to keep services running. Hoteliers said that while some tried switching to alternatives such as induction stoves and firewood-based cooking, these have not proved viable for continuous operations, leaving them with few options. 

Induction stoves have not worked as a practical alternative for most small eateries, as they are not suited to the scale and pace of commercial cooking, hoteliers said. Shifting to firewood, too, is not practical in most city kitchens, owing to space constraints and cooking difficulties. Meanwhile, firewood prices have also shot up, going from around ₹8 to ₹11 per kg to ₹16 to ₹19.

2. About 20% of hotel industry’s LPG needs will be met daily with immediate effect: Karnataka Minister

In what could ease the commercial LPG shortage for educational institutions and hotels, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa said that the government would be able to supply 20% of the daily needs of the hotel industry with immediate effect. “On an average, about 45,000 commercial cylinders were being used by hotels in the State. Following discussion with oil marketing companies today (Monday), it has been decided that about 10,000 commercial cylinders can be supplied to the hotel industry.”

The Minister in a statement to the Legislative Council said that, in all, the Centre has approved supply of about 16,105 commercial cylinders daily. “About 4,200 cylinders will be supplied to educational institutions, 1,200 cylinders to public sector undertakings, 500 to agriculture and allied activities. About 200 cylinders will be reserved for emergency uses. As many as 10,000 cylinders will be given to hotels, industrial canteens, restaurants and dhabas among others,” he added.

3. Event on Deendayal Upadhyaya at Karnataka State Open University put off: Higher Education Minister

Amid a brewing controversy over a three-day event at the State-run Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru to mark 60 years of Hindutva ideologue and leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh Deendayal Upadhyaya’s lectures, which was set to commence on March 25, the Karnataka government on Monday (March 23, 2026) said that the event cannot be held on the KSOU campus.

“What was the need to organise it? There is a protocol violation. There was no explanation as to how the event could help higher education. They have to postpone the programme,” Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said. “They cannot organise it in KSOU. He (Vice Chancellor Sharanappa V. Halase) has been asked to explain the reason. Action will be taken based on an inquiry,” he said.

4. Death of trainee vet: Shivamogga veterinarians blame the ‘system’, seek action against officials responsible

The Shivamogga district unit of the Karnataka Veterinary Association has blamed the lacunae in the administration of zoos for the death of Dr. Sameeksha Reddy, trainee veterinarian, who died in a hippopotamus attack at Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga.

Dr. Kendesh, district president of the association, said that the zoo authority had recruited a veterinarian with no post-graduation in treating wildlife, on a contractual basis. The authority had then placed the two newly recruited apprentices, including Dr. Sameeksha Reddy, under the veterinarian.

5. CCB unearths fake government jobs racket, arrests a couple in Bengaluru

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths have arrested a couple suspected of cheating over 100 people by promising Central government and State government jobs, swindling crores of rupees.

The accused have been identified as Jason D’Souza, 39, and Lavina, 36, a married couple. While the exact extent of the scam is yet to be ascertained by investigators, going by the number of victims, it can be approximated at around ₹5 crore.