LPG gas: Restaurants in southern districts, including Madurai, face the threat of closure.
Tamil Nadu: The supply of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use was halted on Monday (March 9). This has put restaurants in southern districts, including Madurai, at risk of closing down soon.
Due to fears of a war between Israel, the US, and Iran affecting the supply of gas, petrol, diesel, and other fuels, cooking gas cylinder prices were increased last Saturday. The central government had also stated that gas cylinders would be distributed without any shortage. However, on Monday, the supply of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use was halted without any prior notice. It is reported that the supply of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use was halted because oil companies did not refill empty cylinders sent by gas agencies, and some restaurants had purchased large quantities of gas cylinders to stock up.
Regarding this, Kumar, executive of the Madurai Restaurant Owners Association, said: The supply of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use was disrupted on Monday. As for Madurai, restaurants will only be able to operate today and for the next few days. If gas cylinder supplies aren’t restored within two days, they will have to close from the third day.
If restaurants close, people will face difficulties similar to a third lockdown. In Madurai district alone, nearly 100,000 people will lose their jobs. He stated that it is crucial to immediately restore the supply of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use.
Similarly, on Monday, the distribution of cooking gas cylinders for commercial use was halted in districts like Dindigul, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram.
Social activists expressed concern that if restaurants close, hostel workers, students, foreign medical personnel, and tourists will be affected in many ways.
