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India Braces for 'Plate Inflation' as Commercial LPG Hits Record ₹3,071; Protests Erupt Nationwide

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The streets of major Indian cities, from Visakhapatnam to Delhi, saw a wave of protests this Saturday as trade unions and small business owners demanded a rollback of the historic ₹993 hike in commercial LPG prices. The move, which took effect on May 1, 2026, has seen the 19-kg cylinder price surge to ₹3,071.50 in the national capital.

The "Biggest-Ever" Single Month Jump

Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) cited the intensifying West Asia war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the primary drivers behind the price revision. With global crude oil prices breaching $120 per barrel, India—which imports over 60% of its LPG—has felt the immediate impact.

City-wise Commercial LPG Rates (May 2026):

CityNew Price (₹)Total Increase (₹)
Kolkata3,355+1,147
Chennai3,259.50+1,013
Delhi3,071.50+993
Mumbai3,024+993

The Protest Narrative: "Post-Election Gift"

Protesting groups, including the CITU, have criticized the timing of the hike. "This is a cruel joke on the working class," said a representative during a protest in Visakhapatnam. "Prices were kept artificially low during the elections, and now that the votes are cast, the burden is being shifted to small vendors who are already struggling."

Impact: From Dhabas to Fine Dining

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) warned that a medium-sized restaurant using 3–5 cylinders daily will see its monthly expenses jump by over ₹1.5 lakh.

  • Menu Price Hikes: Consumers can expect a 10–15% increase in the price of "out-of-home" food, from street-side samosas to restaurant meals.

  • Supply Scarcity: Beyond the price, a new OTP-based delivery system and mandatory Aadhaar eKYC for beneficiaries have added layers of bureaucracy, leading to delivery delays of up to 45 days in rural areas.

While the government has kept domestic (14.2-kg) cylinders at ₹913 to insulate households, experts warn that "indirect inflation" is inevitable. As the logistics and food service sectors absorb these costs, the "plate inflation" will eventually hit the common man's pocket.

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