Customers hit as restaurants increase rates citing gas shortage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although restaurants and roadside eateries that were shut down due to the cooking gas shortage have started reopening, many of them have sharply increased food prices. This has become a burden for common people, including workers who depend on restaurants for daily meals. In some places, the price of tea has been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 12, and in a few areas even up to Rs 20. Prices of items like poori, dosa, and porotta have also gone up. Chicken and beef dishes have seen significant price hikes.

Even though some restaurants are cooking using firewood due to the gas shortage, many have increased biryani prices by 20-30%, taking advantage of the situation. At the same time, nearly half of the eateries are still serving food at old rates.

Restaurants reopened after the allocation of commercial LPG cylinders was increased to 40%. From Sunday, the supply has been raised to 62%. However, restaurant owners say that they are still not receiving enough cylinders as per demand. They claim that LPG is available in the black market, but at more than double the regular price. Because of this, they say they are forced to increase food prices. However, some restaurants continue to serve food at the old rates.

No increase in price of essential items
Interestingly, there has been no increase in the price of essential items. Vegetable prices have even dropped by around 10%. Despite this, there are complaints that restaurants are unfairly raising prices using the gas shortage as an excuse. Chicken prices, which had gone up to Rs 200 per kg, dropped to Rs 125 on Sunday. Still, many restaurants increased the price of chicken curry by up to Rs 20. Even though egg prices are around Rs 5, the price of omelette has gone up from Rs 15 to Rs 20.

LPG cylinders sold in black market for up to Rs 4000

• Restaurant owners also said that LPG cylinders meant for commercial use are not easily available through agencies, even after registering on official websites.
• A 19 kg LPG cylinder, which normally costs Rs 1,911, is being sold in the black market for Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,000. Some private gas agencies are also reportedly charging higher prices.

“We have not taken any decision to increase restaurant food prices.”
-Vijayakumar
District Secretary of the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association.