West Bengal

There is, however, some relief for household consumers. The price of the 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder has remained unchanged in the latest revision. In Kolkata, the domestic cylinder continues to be priced at Rs 968. The latest increase therefore primarily affects commercial establishments and businesses that depend on larger LPG cylinders for their daily operations.

The latest hike comes after several fluctuations in commercial LPG prices over the past few months. In April, the price of the 19 kg commercial cylinder in Kolkata increased by Rs 219.50, taking it to Rs 3,202. The price was raised again by Rs 53.50 in June. Consumers and businesses received some relief in July and August when prices were reduced by Rs 174 and Rs 209 respectively. The price was then increased by Rs 11.50 in September before the latest Rs 70 hike came into effect from October 1.

With the latest revision, the commercial LPG cylinder has once again become a major concern for restaurants, cafes, hotels, caterers and roadside food outlets. These establishments rely heavily on commercial cooking gas and any increase in fuel costs directly affects their operating expenses.

The timing of the latest hike has also become a major talking point among small and medium-sized businesses. The festive season is generally associated with increased demand for food, catering and restaurant services. During Durga Puja, eateries often see a rise in customer footfall as people spend more time outside their homes and order food during celebrations.

For small restaurants and roadside food businesses in particular, the increase in LPG prices can add significantly to their daily operating costs. Apart from cooking gas, these businesses already have to manage expenses related to raw materials, transportation, electricity, wages and other operational requirements. A rise in commercial LPG prices could therefore put additional pressure on their profit margins.

Industry operators may also have to consider how much of the additional fuel cost can be absorbed within their existing expenses. If the increased cost is passed on to customers, prices of cooked food, snacks and restaurant meals could rise during the festive season. Some businesses may instead try to absorb part of the increase to remain competitive.

Commercial LPG prices are revised by oil marketing companies at regular intervals, with rates influenced by factors including international energy prices and currency movements. The latest October revision has resulted in increases of roughly Rs 62.50 to Rs 71.50 for 19 kg commercial cylinders across several major cities. Kolkata has recorded a Rs 70 increase.

For ordinary households, the immediate impact of the October revision is limited because the price of the 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder has not changed. However, households could still feel the indirect impact if restaurants, food outlets and other businesses pass higher operating costs on to customers through increased prices.

With Durga Puja approaching and festive activity beginning to gather momentum, the latest commercial LPG price hike has come at a particularly sensitive time for the food and hospitality sector. Businesses will now have to balance rising operating costs with the expectation of increased festive demand, while consumers may have to keep a closer eye on food prices during the celebrations.