JSR ‘khao gali’ vendors hike prices as LPG cost surges

Jamshedpur: Food stall vendors at various ‘khao galis' in the Steel City have increased the prices of their items by 10–15% to offset the higher cost of LPG cylinders.

Tutun Mondol, who runs a tea stall in the Sakchi food vending zone, said, "In the past week we have had to pay Rs 50–60 more per kg for LPG. To maintain our profit margins, we usually use domestic LPG cylinders for business throughout the year. But now gas agencies, following govt directives, have imposed a 25-day gap between bookings for LPG cylinders. As a result, we are forced to buy gas from the black market, where prices are set arbitrarily by sellers. Under normal circumstances, we pay about Rs 5 per kg more than the market price for domestic gas."


"Though using domestic cylinders for business purposes is illegal and can invite fines, about 95% of vendors in Jamshedpur's ‘khao galis' use them. Even mid-sized restaurants in the city operate on domestic cylinders. Commercial cylinders are mainly used by bigger restaurants as they can afford them," he added.

Khogen Mahato, who runs a popular fast food joint in the Bistupur area, said, "The long queues outside gas godowns and agencies are mostly of people who illegally sell domestic LPG cylinders to food joints. They procure the cylinders and later sell them to vendors at higher prices. They are trying to cash in on the crisis. I am also dependent on them, as I have been running my business on domestic cylinders for the last 25 years."

"I have been forced to increase prices of items by about 10% to cover the additional LPG cost. Once the situation normalises, I will revert to the earlier prices," he added.

There are more than 20,000 food vendors in the city who run their daily businesses using domestic LPG cylinders.

Indian Oil Corporation director Ajay Tiwari said, "The district administration should conduct surprise raids, and any establishment found using domestic LPG for commercial purposes should be prosecuted under the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016, and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act, 2000. Offenders can be fined Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. Such violations during a crisis must be dealt with strictly."