Bengaluru cafe charges 5% 'gas crisis' fee on lemonade amid LPG supply shortage, Receipt goes viral

Bengaluru: Amid the ongoing crisis and LPG shortage across India, an unusual bill from a cafe in Bengaluru is going viral on social media, which shows a "Gas Crisis Charge" added to a customer's lemonade order. And the users are now reacting and sharing similar experiences of how restaurant is doing fraud with them. 

What is the buzz about?

A user shared the receipt of the lemonade from the Theo Cafe in Bengaluru. The bill shows that a 5 per cent 'gas crisis charge' of Rs 17.01 was applied to the order of two mint lemonades which were of Rs 179 each. 

The total bill was Rs 374 after a 5 per cent discount of Rs 17.90 was first applied and then standard GST components, CGST at 2.5 per cent and SGST at 2.5 per cent, were charged along with the "Gas Crisis Charge."

The user shared the receipt on X with the caption, "Gas crisis charge on a lemonade." 

How are users reacting?

The social media users are already starting making memes and sharing their personal experience with the restaurant.

One user replied in the comment section, saying, "Lemonade banane main kaunsa gas lagta hai."

Another user while sharing his experience said that, "I’ve been to this cafe long back. I highly recommend to avoid this place."

One user jokingly asked, “Nimbu garam karke daala hai kya”

One user wrote, “When a person is good enough to afford Rs 179 for a mere lemonade, which would otherwise cost Rs 10-15, another Rs 17 shouldn't burden any further. Also, a discount of Rs 18 is already provided, nullifying the charge levied.”

Another user said, “First of all, who makes lemonade on a gas stove, and this is illegal according to the Consumer Protection Act 2019, adding extra charges, fuel shortage is an Unfair trade practice. It is ok if it's voluntary in nature, but if they say it's mandatory, they should pay a penalty of up to Rs 50000.”

What is the reason of crisis?

The development comes after hotels and restaurants across India report disruptions in LPG supplies, largely due to global gas supply problem triggered by the Middle East war.

Many restaurants in urban areas are affected worst due to this crisis.