Shillong: Restaurant owners across the city have voiced serious concern and frustration over the acute shortage of LPG, saying the crisis is severely affecting their businesses.
Leaders of the Meghalaya Restaurants and Cafe Association said that the ongoing difficulty in procuring commercial gas over the past several days has disrupted daily operations and pushed many establishments into a crisis.
The Association’s President, Bah Osbert B. Rynjah, said restaurants have been left with no option but to resort to firewood and electricity for cooking, as the available gas supply falls far short of their requirements.
Meanwhile, Secretary Bah Wadajied Lamare urged the government to immediately restore the supply of commercial LPG. He questioned the apparent disappearance of cylinders, stating that while gas is reportedly available, its distribution remains unclear. He also alleged that commercial LPG is reaching only those with influential connections.
Lamare further pointed out that restaurant owners are facing severe hardship, especially as dependence on electricity is proving unreliable due to frequent power cuts. He clarified that the association has no objection to the government prioritizing hospitals, but stressed that businesses and livelihoods must also be taken into consideration.
Adding to the concern, Bah Saeed Warjri warned that if the crisis persists, restaurant owners may be left with no choice but to lay off several young workers, as the rising operational burden and lack of LPG cylinders are making it impossible to absorb the costs.
Restaurant operators have now sought a clear response from the government on when the supply of commercial LPG will be restored so that they can continue running their businesses without further disruption.
