Restaurant owners in Jalandhar are on the edge amid shortage of LPG cylinders in the commercial sectors due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. As per reports, the shopkeepers in the PPR Market, Jalandhar say that cylinders are being sold for ₹900 in the black market.
The restaurant owners say that even though the Centre has implemented ESMA Act (ESMA allows the government to prohibit strikes in essential services that could disrupt daily life) across the country, they are facing difficulties in obtaining cylinders.
Sharing details about the current situation, an eatery owner Danish explained that the industry is facing significant difficulties in obtaining cylinders, he says that before the Iran-Israel war cylinders were available for ₹1600, however now the same cylinders are being sold for ₹2500 in the black market. Danish expresses that the ₹900 price hike has been causing problems and appeals to the administration to crack down on cylinder blackmailing so that restaurant owners can operate smoothly.
Meanwhile, another restaurant owner Tarun also mirrors similar sentiments and flags concerns regarding the price hike. He explains that the disruptions are happening due to cylinder supply being cut off. He further elaborates that he has only one cylinder left making it very difficult to run his business. Tarun also added that other restaurant owners, like him are facing similar problem due to cylinder shortage.
Another restaurant owner Deepak shared that every restaurant owner in the market is facing a similar problem due to the cylinder shortage and expresses concern that businesses are on the verge of shut-down.
