A cafe bill from Bengaluru has gone viral online after it showed a 5% “Gas Crisis Charge” added to a customer’s order, sparking widespread discussion about additional restaurant fees. The bill, shared by a user on X, was reportedly from Theo Cafe and showed an order of two mint lemonades priced at ₹179 each, taking the subtotal to ₹358. The receipt included a ₹17.01 “Gas Crisis Charge” along with CGST and SGST of 2.5% each, while a 5% discount of ₹17.90 was also applied, taking the final bill amount to ₹374.

Reacting to the charge, one social media user wrote, “First of all who makes lemonade on gas stove and this is illegal according to Consumer Protection Act 2019.” Another user said, “It’s the gas charge for the travels. It’s justified in the present times but voluntary should be better for customers.”

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Social media reacts

The screenshot of the bill quickly caught the attention of social media users, especially because the extra charge was applied to a simple beverage order. Several users questioned the basis of the surcharge and whether restaurants were allowed to introduce such fees or not.

“That's ridiculous and funny at the same time… on what grounds have they come up with this charge? Who has approved them to charge such an amount? Under which law?” one user wrote. Another commented, “Cafes in Bengaluru needs an excuse to increase the bill charges.” Some users also argued that restaurants already add multiple taxes and service-related charges, making the additional fee appear unnecessary.

India grapples with LPG shortage

The viral post surfaced at a time when several parts of India are reportedly facing shortages of LPG cylinders. The disruption has been linked to global supply issues following tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

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Eateries across the country have reported difficulties in securing commercial LPG supplies, which are widely used in restaurant kitchens. As a result, some restaurants have trimmed menus, suspended certain dishes or shifted to alternative fuels to continue operations.

The viral bill has triggered a wider debate online about transparency in restaurant pricing, while also highlighting the challenges faced by eateries amid ongoing LPG supply disruptions.