Government mulling to introduce grading system in restaurants; bill scheduled for next assembly session

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is planning to introduce a grading system in restaurants to prevent hotels from allegedly raising food prices at a whim. The bill will be introduced in the legislative assembly during the November session. The government decided to move ahead with the reform only after receiving a request from the consumer department.

Hotels will be classified into A, B, and C grades according to their facilities and standards. A-grade hotels will cost more. C grade will provide food at the most affordable prices. The board in front of the hotel with the grade should be displayed in big letters.

According to the present set of laws, it is impossible to unify the food prices in hotels. The green signal to the grading system came under this condition. Street eateries including ‘Thattukada’ will be exempted from the grading system.

Alappuzha MLA P P Chitharanjan triggered a controversy in 2022 after he received a humungous bill for having an appam and egg curry for breakfast from a hotel in Alappuazha. The total disregard for rules and the unruly price hikes in hotels came under the lens from then. No action was initiated against the hotel then as the law allowed them to charge whatever price range suited best for the hotel.

Price hikes:

• The prices of meat and fish dishes have increased sharply. A three-piece chicken curry has gone from Rs 160 to Rs 220
• Fish dishes have different prices every day.
• Onam is over and the prices of goods and chicken have fallen. The price of commercial cylinders has also been reduced. But the restaurants in the state are still charging the old high rates.

Current rates:

• Meals: Rs 70 - 160
• Biryani : Rs 180 - 300
• Chicken Fry: Rs 250 - 300
• Chilli Chicken: Rs 230 - 295
• Beef Fry: Rs 100-150