Amidst growing concerns over the shortage of cooking gas, a prominent restaurant owner has made a startling revelation that has shifted the focus toward a massive illegal trade. According to the businessman, there is no genuine shortage of LPG cylinders in the market; instead, a powerful “black marketing” syndicate is deliberately creating an artificial crisis to drive up prices and pocket illegal profits.

The restaurant owner alleged that certain distributors and middlemen are hoarding commercial gas cylinders. “When we try to book through legitimate channels, we are told there is a backlog. However, if you are willing to pay a premium under the table, cylinders are delivered within an hour,” he claimed. This rampant hoarding has pushed the cost of commercial LPG to record highs, forcing many small eateries to either shut down or drastically increase their food prices.

The situation is further complicated by the illegal diversion of domestic cylinders for commercial use, which disrupts the supply for ordinary households. Restaurant associations have now urged the authorities to conduct surprise raids and crack down on the hoarding mafia. They warn that if this artificial scarcity is not addressed immediately, the food industry will face a total collapse, leading to mass layoffs and skyrocketing meal costs for the general public. All eyes are now on the administration to see if they can break the grip of the black marketeers.