India, May 2 -- A sharp spike in LPG prices is pushing up operating costs across India's food industry, with the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder jumping by about Rs.993 to Rs.3,071.50, effective May 1. The 5-kg commercial cylinder has also become costlier by Rs.261. Pankaj Shukla, manager of Persian Darbar, says operations have become difficult amid rising costs. "Sab kharche badh gaye hain, bahaut dikkat ho rahi hai. Cylinder toh mil bhi nahin raha. Agar zaroorat padi toh khane ki cost bhi badhani padh sakti hai," he says. However, Prashant Pallath, owner of Mumbai's Tanjore Tiffin Room, says they will absorb the impact rather than raise prices. He shares, "There is enough margin for us to play around without increasing any prices on our menu. Electricity and gas costs comprise only five per cent of our total cost, so it isn't worth compromising on customer comfort. Customers should benefit, as this is a crisis the world is facing, and I am in no hurry to increase our prices."...