THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The food prices in hotels and restaurants in the State may go up as the public sector oil companies have effected a steep hike in the price of LPG cylinders for commercial use. The 19-kg Indane LPG cylinder for commercial use now costs ` 1,808, as against last month’s price of ` 1,540. The 17.4-per cent increase will have its impact on food prices, say hotel owners.
The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association (KHRA) will decide on the further course of action at its executive meeting slated for April 19, said its general secretary Jose Mohan. ‘’This is a 120-per cent increase from last year. Needless to say, this will affect the industry, especially small-scale traders,’’ he said.
‘’It’s a question of survival. The hotels and restaurants have the right to fix their prices. If they hike prices, the association will only support them,’’ he added.
The hoteliers also expressed their dissent over the companies increasing prices without any notice. ‘’The prices are fixed on the first day of the month. The companies don’t even issue a notification prior to such steep hikes,’’ said a restaurant owner in the city.