LPG shortage may force restaurants in Kudla down shutters

Mangaluru: The non-availability of LPG is likely to put restaurants in the city in hardship, and many of them have no other option but to down their shutters. President of the restaurants' association Mangaluru, Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy said that most of the members decided to close down eateries if gas cylinders are not refilled in the next two to three days. He said that restaurants cannot function by cooking food only with electric boilers.Shenoy told TOI that they stopped the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, and this will affect thousands from the industry. "We will have to close our restaurants shortly. It is not possible to run our business without LPG. Using only steam or any other source is not a practical solution," he said.The govt increased the LPG refill price for commercial use customers too, he said. "The rate increased by around Rs 115 per cylinder. There is nothing wrong with increasing the price marginally for the commercial LPG refills. However, after hiking the price, the product should be available in the market. How can we run the show withouth the product?" he questioned.He added that the association members in Mangaluru also support the views of its state body with regard to the issue of LPG crisis. South Canara Hotel and Restaurants' Association president Manohar Shetty said that the increase in LPG price and the shortage will have a cascading effect, and people will also feel the pinch. "It is difficult for us to increase the rate too. It is truly a major problem. We have no choice but to wait until this issue is resolved," he said, expressing hopes that the ongoing crisis may ease soon.Activist Muneer Katipalla said that the common man also started feeling the impact of the war. "The impact will increase if the crisis continues," he added.MP writes to Union ministerDakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, in a letter to Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, has brought to light concerns raised by members of the restaurant and hospitality sector regarding the irregular supply of commercial LPG cylinders. He stated that several entrepreneurs from coastal Karnataka, particularly Dakshina Kannada, who run restaurants and catering establishments in cities such as Bengaluru and Mumbai, have reported disruptions in LPG supply are affecting their daily operations and the livelihoods dependent on the sector. He urged the minister to review the situation and ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial LPG cylinders.