Odisha roadside vendors demand commercial LPG supply, threaten protest

Bhubaneswar: All Odisha Roadside Vendors’ Association on Saturday urged the govt to help them get commercial LPG supply without any hassle, while thretening to take to the streets in protest if the problem is not resolved within four days.

The association, in a letter to CM Mohan Charan Majhi, said that many roadside eateries had shut shops due to the shortage of LPG cylinders, while many had to procure them at skyrocketing prices from black marketeers.




Suraj Kumar Dora, who runs a tiffin centre at Patia, said he purchased a domestic LPG cylinder (14.2kg) from black marketeers by paying Rs 3,000. “So, I increased the base price of a tiffin plate from Rs 30 to Rs 40. But on Saturday, I did not get a gas cylinder and stopped making snacks and tiffin items,” he said.

Pratap Kumar Sahu, president of the association said small food vendors on streets are severely affected. “During this gas shortage, some unscrupulous traders are engaging in black marketing, making it difficult for small vendors to afford gas cylinders,” said Sahu, adding poor people, workers, homeless and helpless people, as well as students who rely on these vendors, were facing difficulties.

“Vendors are forced to shift their trade from selling cooked food items to fruits, vegetables, etc. If more than 30,000 food vendors in Odisha are provided with cooking gas at a subsidised rate, it would alleviate many of their problems and help those dependent on them,” he said.

The association requested the CM to supply each food vendor, who obtained food and trade licences, with at least 10 commercial cylinders per month at a subsidised rate.