Canteen contractors appeal for commercial cylinders to be treated as essential commodities

Canteen contractors in Pune are facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing LPG shortage. They have appealed to the government to treat commercial gas cylinders as essential commodities, just like domestic cylinders. The shortage has led to a decline in the quality of food served in office canteens, hospitals, and schools, affecting thousands of workers and students.

The contractors are struggling to manage their operations, with some having to cut down on their services or use alternative cooking methods like wood-fired chulhas. However, these methods are not only inefficient but also pose health risks to the staff.

Ksshetij Shimpi, a corporate catering services provider, needs around 15 to 18 commercial cylinders daily to feed 2,500 to 3,000 people. He has been forced to use induction stoves and wood-fired chulhas, which are not only time-consuming but also affect the quality of food.

Aditi Ambavane, a member of the National Restaurant Association of India, has expressed concerns about the impact of the shortage on the workforce. She says that the staff is working longer hours, and the company HR managers are worried about how they will face people if there is no food to eat.

The contractors are urging the government to rethink the distribution plan of gas cylinders and treat commercial cylinders as essential commodities. They argue that the men and women of families are working somewhere, and the children are studying in schools, and they are not getting food because they are not getting commercial cylinders.

The government's decision to treat commercial cylinders as essential commodities will not only benefit the contractors but also the thousands of workers and students who rely on them for their daily meals.