THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The rising oil prices have once again defeated the common man in the form of an ‘unofficial’ hike in food prices at various hotels and restaurants in the city. While the hoteliers cite various reasons, including price hike of essential commodities and increase in wages, those depending on the eateries are put to immense suffering.‘’The hotels are hiking prices for every flimsy reason. It badly affects commoners like me who are left with no other option,’’ said Rajan, a security staff.Though many blame vegetarian restaurants for the sudden hikes in prices, several medium-level non-vegetarian hotels too have increased their rates. It has been long since the customers are demanding a unified pricing system based on parameters like quantity or weight. ‘’A unified pricing system for all hotels and restaurants is impractical,’’ says Chandrasenan, general convener of the South Kerala Hoteliers’ Forum. ‘’The costs incurred by restaurant owners differ according to the establishment and maintenance costs,’’ he said. Some hotels are found to be charging exorbitant rates without any justification. Such members should be discouraged by the fraternity, he said. ‘’It is surprising that the Corporation and other agencies concerned are not getting involved in curbing this exploitation,’’ said Sreeni, a marketing professional. Lack of budget eateries is another plight of commoners, says Santhosh, a government employee.‘’Earlier, there were several ‘thattukadas’ that served late into the night. But their number has dwindled now owing to restrictions on timing imposed by the police,’’ he said. If the government cannot control the prices in even medium-level hotels, they should encourage ‘thattukadas,’’’ he said.
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