CCPA advisory sparks outcry among city eateries

Ranchi: A day after an advisory issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) restricted eateries from levying additional "arbitrary" charges on customer bills, restaurant and eatery owners across the city on Thursday said the move would cause them losses. CCPA further said that the price displayed on the menu shall be final, exclusive only of applicable taxes.Eatery operators said the recent surge in LPG prices and supply disruptions have significantly increased their operational expenses, lowering their profit margins."We are already struggling with rising costs of raw materials, fuel and other expenses. If we are not allowed to add a separate charge, how will we cope with the increasing expenses? We cannot increase the prices of food without providing explanation to customers. If we do so, that will again reduce customer footfall," Mahesh Kumar Singh, a restaurant owner in Morabadi, said.He argued if he adds a "fuel surcharge", at least customers may understand the situation. "If I am not allowed to add the charge, I have to shut my shop and start another business."Another restaurant owner, on the condition of anonymity, said, "Due to inadequate availability of LPG cylinders, I am using electric stoves, which is increasing my electricity expenses. If I do not add some of that expense to consumer bills, how will I run the business?"Many roadside stalls across the city have increased food prices after they remained closed for days due to LPG disruptions. "I had to shut my eatery for the last 10 days due to the unavailability of cylinders. After I opened my shop on Thursday, I increased the prices slightly to manage the loss incurred. Each puri and dhuska, which cost Rs 8 earlier, are now priced at Rs 10 each," Shivam Kumar, a roadside eatery owner, said.