Kochi, 06 May (H.S.): Hotels, restaurants, bakeries and canteens across Kerala will remain closed for 24 hours on Tuesday as part of a statewide protest against the steep hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices. The strike has been called by the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association, which alleged that the sudden increase in cooking gas prices has pushed the hospitality sector into a severe financial crisis.

Association leaders said the Central government’s decision to increase the price of commercial LPG cylinders by ₹993 in a single revision has made it extremely difficult for hotels and eateries to continue operations. Following the latest hike, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has reportedly risen to ₹3,085.

The association stated that the hotel industry in Kerala has already been struggling due to rising operational costs, including inflation, higher rents, and increasing wages. Adding to the burden, the ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders has reportedly forced many establishments to cut down operations, with less than 50 per cent of hotels functioning normally in several parts of the state.

As part of the agitation, protest marches and sit-in demonstrations will also be organised in front of offices of petroleum companies and Central government institutions across Kerala. Leaders of the association warned that the hospitality sector is facing an unprecedented crisis and said they would intensify the agitation if the LPG price hike is not rolled back immediately.

The association had earlier cautioned that the continuous rise in fuel and cooking gas prices could severely impact small and medium-scale hotel operators, many of whom are already struggling to survive after repeated economic setbacks in recent years.

The latest increase in LPG prices came shortly after the completion of Assembly elections in five states, including Kerala, a move that has triggered criticism from several quarters. Hotel owners argued that the timing of the hike has further fuelled public anger and placed additional pressure on consumers as well as businesses.

Industry representatives said they are expecting a positive response from the Centre and urged the government to intervene urgently to protect the state’s hospitality sector from further collapse.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman