Commercial LPG black market inflating food bills in Delhi
The black market for commercial LPG cylinders in Delhi is driving up food prices as restaurant owners struggle to obtain gas at official rates. Many are forced to pay significantly higher prices, leading to increased costs for food and beverages. Despite some improvement in supply, the overall situation remains challenging for eatery owners.
- ▪Restaurant owners in Delhi are purchasing commercial LPG cylinders from the black market at inflated prices.
- ▪The official rate for a commercial LPG cylinder is ₹2,078, but many are paying between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000.
- ▪Food prices have increased by over 20% due to the rising costs of LPG and other supplies.
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Several restaurant and eatery owners in Delhi are buying commercial LPG cylinders at higher prices from the black market, which has led to higher prices for all food and beverages, from tea to dal, spot checks by The Hindu have found.At his tea stall in Bhogal, Mahesh Kumar says he has been struggling to get commercial cooking gas cylinders. “The situation has improved slightly now. We are getting 14 kg domestic cylinders for ₹2,000-₹2,500. During early March, in the initial days of the war, I bought cylinders for ₹3,500. Moreover, I had to close the shop for three days as I could not buy even at that price,” he said.He has hiked the price of tea from ₹10 to ₹15. “Everyone in the market has increased the rate.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Hindu.
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