Show must go on: Chennai food vendors rely on domestic LPG cylinders as commercial prices soar

CHENNAI: Roadside eateries across the city are engaging in rampant, illegal use of domestic LPG cylinders. Yet, the authorities haven’t taken any action against them. The 14.2kg domestic LPG cylinders are subsidised and are meant only for household use, while commercial establishments are required to use larger 19kg or 47.5kg cylinders that are priced higher.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000 prohibits diversion of subsidised domestic cylinders for business use and allows authorities to seize cylinders and initiate penal action against violators.




On Wednesday, TOI found several eateries in Velachery, Tambaram, Alandur and T Nagar operating with domestic LPG cylinders. Some cylinders had their original red paint scratched off to pass off as commercial ones, which are painted blue. Many cylinders were covered with jute sacks. In Alandur and Guindy, a few eateries had put up notices saying they were closed due to LPG shortage.

K Ramamurthy, a vendor on Velachery 100 Feet Road, said commercial cylinder prices rose sharply in recent weeks. “We used to buy a cylinder for ₹1,500 to ₹1,600 earlier. This month, the price went up to ₹2,500₹2,800 and the stocks are limited. Sometimes, we wait for two days for a refill,” he said.

“In Tambaram, the price crossed ₹3,000 a cylinder. Yesterday both our outlets were closed because we had no cylinders. We trimmed many items on our menu and now serve only fried rice and biryani,” he said.

Activist David Manohar said many itinerant food vendors and tea shops in Pallavaram and Chromepet rely on domestic cylinders. “I lodged complaints with the civil supplies department, but there was no response. In some places, they use commercial cylinders during the day and switch to domestic ones at night,” he said.

B Kalaivani, joint commissioner, civil supplies and consumer protection department, said: “If illegal use of domestic cylinders is reported, the department will seize them and send them to the concerned oil marketing companies. No penalties will be levied against the eatery. If the cylinders are full, the oil companies will refund the amount to the govt.”

She added that eateries and commercial establishments found repeatedly using domestic cylinders will not be supplied with cylinders again.

No LPG shortage for amma unavagam

There is no LPG cylinder shortage at the seven Amma Unavagam outlets in Tambaram, said corporation commissioner S Balachander.

The two cloud kitchens that prepare food for the chief minister’s breakfast scheme too have not faced any disruptions, he said. “All nine kitchens have enough LPG cylinders in stock. For the seven Amma Unavagam outlets, a total of 15 cylinders are available. and, the two cloud kitchens have 14 cylinders each,” he said adding that the existing stock would be enough to run kitchens for the next 15 days. “We have ordered more cylinders that are expected to arrive in about a week. Once the new cylinders are procured, corporation will have enough stock until April 5. After that, summer vacation for students will begin,” he said.