Rs 15 for tea, Rs 100 for masala dosa; Food prices remain high despite LPG supply normalising

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As of now, there is no shortage of cooking gas cylinders in Kerala. However, it seems like hotel owners are willfully ignoring this reality so that they can keep food prices the same. Restaurants have not been ready to reduce the prices of food that they had hiked during the unavailability of cooking gas cylinders following the Middle East war.

Those who rely on hotel food are finding it difficult to cope with the prices. Tea in most restaurants in the state is sold at Rs 12-15. A simple vegetarian meal costs Rs. 90-140. Earlier, when the price of chicken went up, the prices of chicken dishes were increased. Even though the price of chicken has come down, owners have not shown the courtesy to return to their former prices. Even in the street stalls, the prices remain high.

During the severe LPG crisis, many restaurants were on the brink of closing down. Those that functioned also increased the price of food. Cooking was done on firewood. Today, the situation has changed. The restrictions imposed on booking cooking gas cylinders have also been almost lifted. Even though the gas supply has almost returned to the previous level, the price of food in hotels remains unchanged.

According to the complaint, the authorities are not ready to inspect and take action in this regard. The officials have not yet succeeded in bringing a unified pricing system.

Rs 100 for masala dosa, Rs 250 for chicken curry

In hotels in Thiruvananthapuram city, a masala dosa is charged at Rs.100. Chicken curry is Rs. 250. Chicken with Parotta combo is charged at Rs. 215, butter chicken at Rs. 290, and other chicken dishes at Rs. 300-400. A dosa is Rs. 12, a parotta is Rs. 15, and a single omelette is Rs. 20.

At the same time, food ordering portals are squeezing money out of customers. A chicken curry sold at Rs 250 in most restaurants is being sold for Rs 350 on such portals.