A big city like Bangalore has a large population dependent on hotels for their daily food. Regular diners have been left with leaner wallets in recent months with hotels revising prices citing increase in input costs, especially of LPG, foodgrains and oil. On an average, small and medium sized hotels across the city upped their bills between 15 and 20 per cent in the last two years while bigger establishments went for a 30 per cent hike, industry sources estimate. While previously price rise in the menu was restricted to once a year earlier, it is twice a year now.
Rangaswamy, an autorickshaw driver from Kamakshipalya, has rationed the daily dose of his favourite chai. “Earlier, I would visit tea stalls very often. But now I have cut down as it has become expensive,” he said.
Fellow driver B.C. Murthy, a resident of Kurubarhalli, said: “A meal that cost me Rs. 25 before is now Rs. 30. Not only that, the quantity in the plate has also reduced. There is no other go for us for our lunch as we are always on the move.” Meanwhile, Arun Adiga of the iconic eatery Vidyarthi Bhavan in Basavangudi, blamed rising costs on the steep increase in the prices of LPG and foodgrains. “Prices of commercial LPG have gone up by almost 40 per cent in the last two years. Similarly, groceries have become expensive, not to mention the high rental costs,” he said.
He added that many who are dependent on hotels for their food may economise by cooking at home.
