Crunch hits munching: 40-60% hike in college canteen prices

Lucknow: Students in Lucknow University, Jai Narain Misra PG (JNMPG) College and National PG College (NPGC) are facing a sharp 40–60% hike in canteen food prices, with vendors attributing the increase to rising LPG cylinder costs.At the commerce canteen in LU, chhola samosa, which earlier cost Rs 25, is now priced at Rs 40, while tea has increased from Rs 15 to Rs 20 and maggie from Rs 40 to Rs 50. At the ONGC building canteen, chhola samosa has gone up from Rs 25 to Rs 35. On the second campus, samosa prices have doubled from Rs 10 to Rs 20 and tea has risen from Rs 15 to Rs 25.At NPGC, the price of a frankie has increased from Rs 60 to Rs 90, samosas from Rs 10 to Rs 15 and noodles from Rs 60 to Rs 75. Similarly, at JNMPG College, samosas now cost Rs 15 instead of Rs 10, tea has increased to Rs 20 from Rs 15 and bread pakoda now costs Rs 30, up from Rs 20.Canteen operators said the hike was unavoidable. "The cost of LPG cylinders has gone up, making it difficult to maintain earlier prices," said a vendor, requesting anonymity.Another added that regular bookings take time and they are able to arrange only one cylinder a week. For the rest, they depend on relatives and friends who provide cylinders at higher prices. He said they cannot afford to shut down the canteen as it is their primary source of livelihood.Students have expressed concern over the sudden rise.LU student Anurag Tomar pointed out that the day-to-day expenses have gone up, making it hard to manage within a student's budget.A student at JNMPG, Vivek Mishra, added that even simple snacks are becoming too expensive to afford regularly.NPGC student Devansh Singh said, "If prices keep rising like this, many students will avoid canteens altogether."