India, May 1 -- The nearly 50% rise in the 19 kg commercial cylinders in Lucknow - from Rs.2,201 to Rs.3,194 - is set to hurt the end consumers the most, as restaurants, hotels and eateries have no choice but to pass it on to the customers.

The Rs.993 hike, effective May 1, is further marred by the undersupply to eateries, forcing them to buy from the grey market. The 5-kg commercial LPG cylinder has also become costlier by Rs.261.

Oudh Catering Association board member Jugal Sachdeva says they now need to pass the hike to consumers.

"Till now we had increased the prices and were managing with multi-channel options like splitting cylinders, switching to electric and traditional cooking manners, as the supply had dried down. Now, even i...