The historic Writers’ Building, once the pulsating heart of Bengal’s administration, is witnessing a heartbreaking crisis. The iconic canteen that once bustled with officials enjoying hearty meals is now reduced to serving a meager “one-curry and rice” platter. The reason? A severe shortage of LPG cylinders that has left the kitchen staff helpless and in tears. The employees fear that if the supply does not stabilize immediately, the canteen might have to shut its doors forever.

A Struggle for Survival: For decades, the Writers’ Building canteen has been a sanctuary for government employees, offering affordable and delicious Bengali cuisine. However, the current LPG crisis has hit its operations hard. “We don’t have enough gas to boil even the basic ingredients. We are somehow managing with a single dish to keep the stove running, but it’s becoming impossible to sustain,” lamented a senior canteen worker. The variety of fish, meat, and vegetables that once graced the menu has vanished, replaced by the grim reality of a fuel-depleted kitchen.

The Irony of Administration: There is a sharp irony in the situation. While Nabanna (the new state secretariat) has recently launched a 24-hour control room to monitor and resolve the LPG crisis across the state, the heritage Writers’ Building is struggling for a single cylinder. This disconnect has left the office staff frustrated, as they are forced to look for expensive alternatives outside the building for their daily lunch.

Threat of Permanent Closure: The rising cost of raw materials combined with the unavailability of fuel has created a double-whammy for the canteen management. The staff members, many of whom have worked there for years, are emotionally distraught at the prospect of a permanent shutdown. Without immediate administrative intervention to prioritize gas supply to such vital hubs, a significant part of Kolkata’s administrative culture could be lost to this energy crisis.