Pune: For those who have enjoyed a simple and economical meal at canteens or mess, the time has come to shell out some more amount as rates of food items have been increased amid a rise in LPG cylinder prices.

The price of domestic cooking gas or Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been gone up by Rs 25 per cylinder from Monday. After the latest price hike, a 14.2 kilogram domestic LPG cylinder will cost Rs 824 in Pune, up from Rs 798.

With prices of LPG cylinders being increased to Rs 824 in Pune, consumers, particularly owners of eateries, mess, canteens are anxious about the inflation. Considering that many canteen businesses have only recently managed to get back on their feet after-lockdown, owners of smaller and stand-alone eateries such as mess, small cafes may feel the brunt of this price surge even more severely.

One of the canteen owners in the city said, “The increase in prices eats into our profits and affects our margins. Due to COVID-19, we incurred a heavy loss last year and now the surge in LPG is not acceptable at all. Most of the cafes and small eateries will have to endure this price increase. We also know that this will decrease the footfall too.”

The sharp increase in LPG price comes at a time when fuel prices around India have skyrocketed. Many experts and political leaders have cautioned that such a sharp rise in energy costs may put huge pressure on India’s poorer and middle class.

LPG CYLINDER RATES IN PUNE CITY

• February 1: Rs 698

• February 15: Rs 725

• February 25: Rs 774

• February 28: Rs 798

• March 1: Rs 824