top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western...

Commercial LPG 'evaporates' in Maharashtra

Mumbai : The short supply of commercial LPG cylinders turned ‘grim’ on Wednesday as hundreds of small and medium eateries – on whom the ordinary working Mumbaikars depend on for daily meals – shut down or drastically trimmed menus, on Wednesday.   With an estimated 50,000-plus hotels, restaurants and small food joints, the crunch is beginning to be felt severely, said Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) vice-president and Hotel and Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI) spokesperson Pradeep Shetty.   “We are in continuous touch with the concerned authorities, but the situation is very gloomy. There is no response from the Centre or the Ministry of Petroleum on when the situation will ease. We fear that more than 50 pc of all eateries in Mumbai will soon down the shutters. The same will apply to the rest of the state and many other parts of India,” Shetty told  ‘ The Perfect Voice’ .   The shortage of commercial LPG has badly affected multiple sectors, including the hospitality and food industries, mass private or commercial kitchens and even the laundry businesses, industry players said.   At their wits' ends, many restaurateurs resorted to the reliable old iron ‘chulhas’ (stoves) fired by either coal or wood - the prices of which have also shot up and result in pollution - besides delaying the cooking.   Anticipating a larger crisis, even domestic LPG consumers besieged retail dealers in Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Akola, Nagpur to book their second cylinder, with snaky queues in many cities. The stark reality of the 12-days old Gulf war with the disturbed supplies has hit the people and industries in the food supply chains that feed crores daily.   “The ordinary folks leave home in the morning after breakfast, then they rely on the others in the food chain for their lunch or dinner. Many street retailers have also shut down temporarily,” said Shetty.   Dry Snacks A quick survey of some suburban ‘khau gullies’ today revealed that the available items were mostly cold sandwiches, fruit or vegetable salads, cold desserts or ice-creams, cold beverages and packed snacks. Few offered the regular ‘piping hot’ foods that need elaborate cooking, or charging higher than normal menu rates, and even the app-based food delivery system was impacted.   Many people were seen gloomily munching on colorful packets of dry snacks like chips, chivda, sev, gathiya, samosas, etc. for lunch, the usually cheerful ‘chai ki dukaans’ suddenly disappeared from their corners, though soft drinks and tetrapaks were available.   Delay, Scarcity  Maharashtra LPG Dealers Association President Deepak Singh yesterday conceded to “some delays due to supply shortages” of commercial cylinders, but assured that there is no scarcity of domestic cylinders.   “We are adhering to the Centre’s guidelines for a 25 days booking period between 2 cylinders (domestic). The issue is with commercial cylinders but even those are available though less in numbers,” said Singh, adding that guidelines to prioritise educational institutions, hospitals, and defence, are being followed, but others are also getting their supplies.   Despite the assurances, Shetty said that the current status is extremely serious since the past week and the intermittent disruptions have escalated into a near-total halt in supplies in many regions since Monday.   Adding to the dismal picture is the likelihood of local hoteliers associations in different cities like Pune, Palghar, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and more resorting to tough measures from Thursday, including temporary shutdown of their outlets, which have run out of gas stocks.

The Descent Troubleshooter!

Balasaheb Thorat

Congress legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat suddenly assumed a central role amidst the imbroglio within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and in a couple of days the things seem to have been sorted out. The leaders, who were busy giving statements against each other, came together and announced that there were only minor differences over seat sharing which they would do away with it very soon.


Thorat has been playing such role of trouble shooter within the state Congress party for most of the past five years when major senior leaders had fled the party. Born on February 7, 1953, Thorat’s political journey began in the 1980s when he was first elected as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sangamner constituency in Ahmednagar district. Since then, he has been re-elected multiple times, showcasing his strong connection with the electorate and his ability to address their concerns effectively.


One of Thorat’s most notable roles has been as the Revenue Minister of Maharashtra, a position he has held multiple times. His tenure in this role has been marked by significant reforms and initiatives aimed at improving the state’s revenue system and ensuring transparency and efficiency in its operations. Thorat’s leadership in this capacity has earned him respect and recognition from both his peers and the public.


In addition to his role as Revenue Minister, Thorat has also served as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. This position has allowed him to play a crucial role in shaping the state’s legislative agenda and holding the government accountable for its actions. Thorat’s ability to navigate the complexities of opposition politics while maintaining a constructive approach has been a testament to his political acumen and maturity.


Thorat’s leadership style is characterized by his calm demeanor, strategic thinking, and ability to build consensus. He is known for his inclusive approach, often seeking input from various stakeholders before making decisions. This has helped him build a broad base of support within the party and among the public. Thorat’s commitment to social justice and equitable development has also been a defining feature of his political career. He has been a vocal advocate for the rights of marginalized communities and has worked tirelessly to ensure that their voices are heard in corridors of power.


Beyond his political achievements, Thorat is also recognized for his contributions to the cooperative movement in Maharashtra. He has played a key role in the development and growth of cooperative societies in the state, which have been instrumental in improving the livelihoods of many rural communities. Thorat’s personal life is marked by his humility and simplicity. Despite his significant political stature, he remains approachable and grounded, often engaging with his constituents and addressing their concerns.

Comments

bottom of page