Rourkela: : Amid an LPG supply crunch triggered by the West Asia conflict, several residents returned empty-handed here on Monday despite the state government’s announcement that 5-kg LPG cylinders would be available at petrol pumps.At a major petrol pump near Chhend, people seeking 5-kg cylinders for cooking were told that there was no stock. Fuel pump employees attributed failure of the gas agency in delivering cylinders to a ‘shortage’.The unavailability has hit students living in rented accommodations and small vendors who depend on 5-kg cylinders. On Monday, many people gathered at the petrol pump hoping to get cylinders easily but expressed annoyance when told none was available. Some even argued with staff over the non-availability.“I am a student residing in a rented house with two friends. We do not have an LPG cylinder to cook. Since the govt had announced that 5-kg LPG cylinders would be available at petrol pumps during the crisis, we were confident of getting one. But we have been turned away. Other petrol pumps in Rourkela are also out of stock. Now, we are forced to depend on hotels for food,” said Saroj Pradhan, a diploma student.Birsa Toppo, a contract worker, echoed the concern. “I came to take a 5-kg LPG cylinder, but there is no stock. The staff could not say when it would be available. I have no LPG at home and I don’t know how my family will cook food,” he said.Sudhir Ranjan Kar, the petrol pump manager, said the supplying agency had not been able to deliver cylinders due to shortage. “We requested the agency to supply 5-kg cylinders so that we could sell them to the public, but they have not supplied any, citing shortage,” he said.Another petrol pump manager, preferring anonymity, said low margins also discouraged stocking. “We earn around Rs 20 per 5-kg cylinder. If supplies are irregular, there is little incentive to take the trouble of stocking and selling them,” he said, adding that the shortage had been widely reported.Assistant civil supplies officer, Rourkela, Joshna Rani Karna said the administration would look into complaints regarding the non-availability of 5-kg LPG cylinders at petrol pumps.Currently, a 5-kg LPG cylinder costs approximately Rs 1,537 for a new connection and Rs 593 for a refill.