The scarcity of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders is causing all sorts of disruptions.
In some places, restaurants and street vendors have hiked the prices of items like tea and *pakoras*, while elsewhere, restaurants have been forced to shut down entirely.
Now, reports from Bengaluru reveal that one restaurant has gone so far as to start levying a specific ‘Gas Crisis Charge.’
Bengaluru: You are likely already well aware of the reports regarding the shortage of LPG cylinders. Consequently, restaurants and roadside food stalls in several cities—including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru—are being forced to close down. In some areas, food vendors have also implemented price hikes on their offerings. Amidst this situation, news has emerged that a café in Bengaluru has started collecting a ‘Gas Crisis Charge.’
Where Was the ‘Gas Crisis Charge’ Levied?
On the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), a user named ‘Pakchikpak Raja Babu’ posted a photograph from his handle, @HaramiParinde. The image shows a bill issued by ‘Theo Cafe’ in Bengaluru. The bill details the purchase of two mint lemonades, on which a 5% ‘Gas Crisis Charge’ has been levied. In his accompanying caption, the user remarked: “A gas crisis charge… even on lemonade?”
What Does the Bill Show?
The bill in question is from Theo Cafe. According to the bill, the customer ordered two lemonades. Each lemonade is priced at ₹179, bringing the total cost for both to ₹358. A discount of 5%—amounting to ₹19.90—was applied to this subtotal. On top of this, CGST (2.5%) and SGST (2.5%) were charged. Subsequently, a “Gas Crisis Charge” was added to the bill; this charge was calculated at 5%, amounting to ₹17.01. After rounding off the figures, the final total bill came to ₹374.
What Are People Saying? Commenting on this post, netizens remarked that while an LPG gas charge for cooking is understandable, what kind of gas is required to make lemonade? Another user quipped, “Did they heat the lemons before adding them?” Yet another user questioned, “Who uses a gas stove to make lemonade?” They further noted that, according to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, such a practice is illegal.
**Many Restaurants Have Shut Down**
Prior reports indicate that numerous restaurants and roadside food stalls across cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi have suspended their operations. This is because they are unable to procure LPG gas cylinders. In Delhi’s Paharganj district, the renowned *Chole Bhature* outlet—Sitaram Diwanchand, a 75-year-old institution—has also been forced to shut down amidst this LPG crisis. Reports from Bengaluru also suggest that some restaurants have shifted their focus to serving sandwiches instead of their traditional offerings like *Dosa*, *Idli*, and *Vada*.
**Tea Becomes More Expensive in Delhi-NCR**
News has already emerged that food and beverage vendors across the Delhi-NCR region have hiked their prices. A small cup of tea (*cutting chai*) that previously cost ₹10 is now priced at ₹15, while a regular cup of tea—formerly ₹15—now costs ₹20. A plate of *Momos* that used to sell for ₹100 is now priced at ₹200. Similarly, a plate of *Poha*, previously available for ₹30, is now being sold for ₹40. A plate of *Chole Bhature* at roadside stalls—which used to cost ₹30—is now selling for ₹40. Vendors unanimously attribute these price hikes to the fact that they are being forced to purchase gas cylinders on the black market.
