Hotels to bakeries closed in Kerala; no food online, people having a tough time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hotels, restaurants, and bakeries across Kerala are on strike in protest against the steep hike in the price of commercial LPG cylinders. Online food delivery services will also be suspended. The strike is for 24 hours. Major organizations, including the Hotel and Restaurants Association, Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi, Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, All Kerala Caterers Association, and Hostel Owners Federation, are participating in the protest.

They have also decided to hold protest marches to central government offices. Association leaders said the sudden hike of Rs 993 for a 19-kg commercial cylinder is unacceptable and warned that the hotel industry would collapse. The price of commercial cylinders in the state has now crossed Rs 3,000, severely impacting the hotel sector. This comes at a time when hotels across the state were slowly returning to normal after being shut down due to LPG restrictions.

Hotels, restaurants, small eateries, and street food stalls have all been badly affected by the price hike. Due to rising operational costs, many hotels have increased the prices of food items, which has also hit consumers hard. Meantime, with hotels shut, people across the state are facing difficulties. The closure of even small shops and bakeries has caused major inconvenience, especially for travelers.