Restaurants may remove rate cards owing to constant hike in vegetables and LPG rates
Restaurants may remove rate cards owing to constant hike in vegetables and LPG rates
Don't be surprised if next time you are unable to find a rate card at your nearest restaurant.
Tired with the ever increasing rates of vegetables and now a sudden hike in the cost of LPG cylinders, restaurants in the city are contemplating whether to publish new menu cards with rates or not. 
Restaurant owners are not sure if they should print new menu cards as they have to keep changing
the rates as per the increased costs of vegetables and LPG
Restaurant owners have now decided to pass on the buck to the consumers.
In a letter written by Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) to the petroleum minister and to the gas companies, AHAR has demanded a subsidy for commercial users similar to domestic users.
"The hotels are already reeling under heavy burden of high inflation," said Sudhakar Shetty, president of AHAR.
Shetty revealed that in the past one year, the cost of LPG has almost doubled. A 19.5 kg cylinder was available for Rs 600 in 2009 and now it is priced at Rs 1,277 (see box).
"Consumers get a subsidy but it should be understood that a hike in commercial prices will indirectly impact the end consumers," said Gaurang Shah, who owns a farsan shop.
A snack joint in Malad has decided to print fresh menu cards without the rates mentioned on it.
Shetty said that a domestic gas cylinder costs Rs 348 as it is subsidised. "Gas tariffs are increased without a proper study of impact on the hospitality industry. The government should roll back the hike."
The spokesperson of a petroleum company refused to comment if they will reduce the price.
He said, "The reason for the increased rates is the hike in crude oil prices. We can't speak much on it as it is the government who decides."
Despite several attempts, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora was unavailable for comments.
Hike in LPG rates
Cost of a 19.5 kg cylinder
2009u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 600
April 2010u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 953
September 2010u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0Rs 912
October 2010u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 964
November 2010u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 1,001
December 2010u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 1,007
January 2011u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Rs 1,277u00a0
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