Consumer Protection Authority Warns Restaurants Against Charging Extra for Gas, LPG The Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a directive prohibiting restaurants and hotels from imposing additional charges for gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), labeling such practices as unfair and against consumer protection guidelines. The watchdog emphasized that only applicable taxes can be included in menu prices, and all input costs must be factored into the displayed prices. This move aims to prevent exploitation of consumers amid ongoing fuel supply concerns. Government officials have consistently denied reports of petrol and diesel shortages, with Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, stating that there has been no price increase for these fuels. She also noted that 26 states have received 22,000 tonnes of commercial LPG, and 2.5 lakh new piped natural gas (PNG) connections have been established in the past 25 days. The government has also announced that households will no longer receive LPG supplies if they fail to switch to PNG where connectivity is available, a measure intended to accelerate gas network expansion and reduce reliance on a single fuel. Meanwhile, the Indian Oil Corporation chairman, Arvinder Singh Sahney, urged the public to avoid panic buying and trust official sources, assuring that there is no shortage of fuel. Similar reassurances were made by the Telangana government and its petroleum dealers association, which confirmed adequate stock levels and normal supply chain operations.#strategic_petroleum_reserve #sujata_sharma #consumer_protection_authority #arvinder_singh_sahney #dharmendra_pradhan
