LUCKNOW, May 13 -- Rising prices of commercial LPG cylinders and availability issues during the ongoing wedding season have triggered concern among wedding planners, tent house owners and caterers in Lucknow and across Uttar Pradesh. To protest against the situation, traders have announced a statewide stir on May 15 against the sharp increase in operational costs. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Uttar Pradesh Tent Caterers and Decorators Welfare Association held at Vindhyavasini Hotel in Sarvodaya Nagar, where traders said repeated hikes in commercial gas cylinder prices within a short span have severely affected the wedding and event business. According to traders, commercial LPG cylinder rates were increased twice within 15 days, upsetting financial calculations for businesses that had already finalised bookings for the ongoing marriage season. They said the sudden rise in fuel costs has put additional financial pressure on caterers and event organisers. Vijay Kumar, state president of the association, said traders had always stood with the government during difficult situations, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and now expected relief and support in return. State vice-president Shashikant Shukla said the tent and catering industry was closely linked with social and family functions, where commercial gas cylinders play a major role in large-scale food arrangements. "Bookings are generally finalised well in advance during the wedding season. But when operational costs increase suddenly, it becomes difficult for small and medium traders to sustain the business," a trader present at the meeting said. Ritwik Jaiswal, general secretary, city alleged that black marketing of commercial LPG cylinders had also increased amid the price rise. He claimed that cylinders costing around Rs.3,200 were being sold in the open market at even higher rates, creating additional problems for smaller traders and event organisers. During the meeting, the association decided that office-bearers across all districts of Uttar Pradesh will submit memoranda to the CM through district magistrates on May 15. The memorandum will demand rollback of the increased commercial LPG cylinder prices and relief measures for traders associated with the tent, catering and decoration industry....