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Back to firewood for cooking if gas prices go up again
View(s):By Mirudhula Thambiah
Consumers are considering cooking with firewood if gas prices continue to go up in price. Last Saturday the Consumer Affairs Authority permitted LP gas suppliers Litro and Laugfs to raise the price of a 12.5 kg gas cylinder by Rs.150. The new price of a Litro and Laugfs LP gas cylinder is Rs. 2,396.
The recent price hike on LP gas is reasonable, considering the increase in global fuel prices, a spokesman for the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) told the Sunday Times. “Litro wanted to raise their price by Rs. 300 and Laugfs asked for a Rs. 517 increase. The Consumer Affairs Authority has authorised an increase of only Rs 150,” the spokesman said.
Last November a metric ton of LP gas in the world market went up from USD606 to USD1,008. The Consumer Affairs Authority reviews LP gas prices bimonthly.
The fuel price increase has so far only marginally affected business at eating houses.Vani Vilas hotel manager P. T. Jeyakumar said there would be no price changes of food items. “But if fuel costs goes up again, we will have to consider adding even part of the extra cost to the bill.”
Wayside food stalls and eateries have raised the price of dishes and food items by between Rs. 2 and Rs. 5. A paratta costs Rs.13, a hopper Rs.13, an egg hopper Rs.35, a vegetable rotti Rs. 35, a roll Rs.30, a string hopper Rs. 8, a rice packet Rs.130, a kottu Rs. 200, a cup of plain tea Rs.15, and a cup of milk tea Rs.20 . Prices vary among food stalls and the bigger eating houses.
R. Mohammed, who runs a café in Panchikawatte, says he may soon have to raise the price of short-eats by Rs. 2 and a rice packet by Rs. 4.
“The price of a gas cylinder has gone up but my salary stays the same,” says householder R. Ahmed (28) of Wellampitiya. “I buy two cylinders as month as the family depends largely on gas for cooking.”
Polhengoda housewife S. Banu said the gas price increase affects mostly lower middle-class families. “I buy one cylinder a month. People who live in apartments have to use gas. They cannot use firewood to cook.”
A. Prasad (25) of Divulupitiya said he and his family manage with one gas cylinder a month, but he hoped there would be no more price increases.
Lottery ticket seller W. Saranapala (65) of Nawagampura said his family of five uses three gas cylinders over a two-month period. W. Perera (55) of Gampaha said he has been forced to turn to firewood as an alternative to gas.
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