Kerala’s Samridhi Kochi, a budget-friendly eatery initiative by the Kudumbashree mission, is facing pressure to increase prices due to the recent surge in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder costs. Launched in 2022, Samridhi Kochi provides affordable meals – breakfast for ₹20, lunch for ₹50, and dinner for ₹50 – aiming to cater to the working class and daily wage earners.
Currently, the project operates 44 outlets across Kochi, serving approximately 20,000 meals daily. The significant increase in LPG prices, rising from ₹1,050 to ₹1,103 for a 14.2 kg cylinder, poses a substantial challenge to maintaining these low prices. LPG constitutes a major portion of the operational costs, approximately 30-35%, impacting the financial viability of the project.
Kudumbashree authorities are exploring options to mitigate the impact, including seeking subsidies and exploring alternative cooking methods like electric cooking. However, transitioning to electric cooking requires significant investment in new equipment and infrastructure, a hurdle for the project’s current financial standing.
A price hike, while undesirable, is being considered as a last resort. Any increase would be minimal, aiming to balance affordability with operational sustainability. Authorities emphasize that the core objective of providing affordable food remains paramount. They are also looking into optimizing operational efficiencies and reducing wastage to offset the increased LPG costs.
The project’s success has been notable, providing employment opportunities for women from Kudumbashree’s neighborhood groups. A price increase could potentially affect the number of customers, particularly those relying on Samridhi Kochi for their daily meals. The organization is currently evaluating the potential impact of a price adjustment and seeking support from local authorities to navigate the situation. The future of the project’s pricing hinges on finding a sustainable solution that doesn’t compromise its accessibility for the intended beneficiaries.
