Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Canteen operators in the Shendra MIDC area have started cooking food for workers on traditional stoves as the supply of cooking gas has been disrupted. Due to the irregular gas supply, they are being forced to use firewood as fuel. This is being seen as a temporary arrangement to ensure that workers in the industrial area continue to get meals.
The price of commercial gas cylinders has reportedly increased to around Rs 4,000, while the cost of firewood is also not very affordable. As a result, canteen operators are facing financial and operational difficulties.
In the local market, dry firewood is being sold at Rs 8 to Rs 10 per kilogram. Many workers rely on canteens for meals if they do not have gas at home or are unable to bring lunch boxes from home. However, due to the shortage of fuel and the limitations of cooking on wood-fired stoves, workers, canteen operators and industrial establishments are struggling to manage the situation.
There is also discussion that the gas supply to canteens in some industrial establishments has been disrupted. As a result, canteen operators are planning the menu a day in advance and preparing limited quantities of breakfast and meals.
“The price of a gas cylinder was Rs 3,800 yesterday, but today it has gone up to Rs 4,000. Even if we manage to get firewood, it is difficult for the cooks working in the canteen to prepare food on traditional stoves,” said the manager of Atharva Canteen, Anil Kedare.
(Photo: Sai Catering, Shendra)