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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.

Your Vote, Your Future: Choosing the Path to a Stronger United Maharashtra

Your Vote, Your Future

As you vote today, ask yourself: What are we voting for? Voting is more than a civic duty; it shapes the future of our nation and state. The choices we make today will define tomorrow’s priorities, policies, and leadership.


When you cast your ballot, think beyond the immediate issues and political affiliations. Reflect on the India and Maharashtra you want to build—a prosperous, secure, and inclusive state where progress is not just a vision but a reality for all. This election is not about today—it’s about laying the groundwork for a better tomorrow. It’s about choosing the future we want for ourselves, our families, and our communities.


Vote for a Superpower India

A strong nation begins with strong, visionary leadership. Our nation’s path hinges on today’s choices. Vote for leadership that drives development, harmony, and sustainable growth to create opportunities for all. A prosperous India begins with each of us choosing leaders who reflect our collective aspirations.


Vote for National Security

National security is not just about protecting our borders; it’s about ensuring safety, peace, and stability for every citizen. As we face internal and external challenges, your vote should reflect a commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty, reinforcing our defence capabilities, and strengthening internal security measures. A secure nation is one where citizens can live, work, and grow without fear.


Vote for Governance

Maharashtra, much like India, is a land of rich diversity. But our true strength lies in our ability to unite across differences—culture, language, or religion. When you vote, choose leadership that embraces this diversity, fosters inclusivity, and promotes social justice. A governance model that respects every community while binding us together with shared values and common goals will ensure that no one is left behind in our journey toward progress.


Vote for Better Infrastructure

Infrastructure is the foundation upon which a prosperous future is built. Whether in transportation, communication, healthcare, or education, robust infrastructure is essential to unlocking the state’s full potential. Vote for a Maharashtra that is well-connected, technologically advanced, and equipped to meet the demands of the future. A state with modern infrastructure attracts investments, boosts job creation, and provides its citizens with a higher quality of life.


The F.U.T.U.R.E.

The future of Maharashtra is not just about lofty promises—it is about actionable, transformative change. The idea of a better Maharashtra lies in F.U.T.U.R.E., a forward-thinking vision that prioritises all-round development, propelling the state into a new era of growth and prosperity:


F = Future of Work: We must equip our youth with the skills and opportunities to succeed in the global economy. Vote for a Maharashtra that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of work, ensuring our youth are well prepared for the challenges ahead.


U = Universal Development of Urban & Rural Maharashtra: Growth must be shared between urban and rural areas, with no community left behind. Vote for policies that ensure equitable development across the state—where prosperity reaches every corner, from the heart of Mumbai to the farthest villages of Maharashtra.


T = Better Transport: Vote for a state where mobility is seamless and infrastructure bridges gaps and creates opportunities. A well-connected Maharashtra is a Maharashtra on the move—economically, socially, and culturally.


U = Urban Youth Towards Roots: Empowering our urban youth with the tools to succeed—while staying grounded in Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage—is the key to building a vibrant, dynamic future. Vote for leadership that nurtures the next generation, ensuring they remain rooted in our values while embracing innovation.


R = Empowering Rural Maharashtra: Vote for a rural Maharashtra that grows alongside its urban counterparts. Rural Maharashtra is the backbone of our economy. Policies must empower farmers, entrepreneurs, and workers with the resources, education, and technology to thrive in a competitive world.


E = Empathy through Education: Our future depends on a strong, inclusive education system that nurtures talent, fosters creativity, and equips the next generation with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex world. Vote for a Maharashtra that invests in its children, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all.


Celebrate Democracy

Elections celebrate democracy where every voice matters and every vote counts. This is your chance to play an active role in determining the future of Maharashtra. The larger the voter turnout, the stronger the mandate. Your vote is a tool of empowerment, a call to action for those in leadership to work for the people.


(The author is Publicity Secretary, ABVP in Mumbai. Views personal.)

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