Jamshedpur: Hit by the LPG refill shortage, people across the Steel City shifted to the conventional coal, kerosene, and firewood-based cooking methods. As a consequence, the prices of the three essential energy commodities shot up.Households, particularly those living in the suburbs and slums, are swiftly adopting the age-old method. “People are buying hawan lakadi (ritual firewood) bundles to light fire, as the supply of dedicated cooking firewood is not much in the urban market,” said puja material seller Madan Sahu.
Vendors said that coal and cow dung cake demand shot up in the city in the last five days. “I usually supply coal to the presser and to some chaiwalas, but for two-three days I received regular calls from households,” said coal seller Amrit Singh.The 20 kg bag of coal, which usually cost Rs 400, now cost Rs 520 due to high demand and short supply.Likewise, firewood, which usually cost Rs 10 a bundle, is being sold in the range of Rs 15 to Rs 20 per bundle. The hawan lakadi bundle is being sold in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 70, depending on the quality of the wood.People are buying kerosene for Rs 130-140 per litre which was earlier sold for Rs 120 per litre. “Petrol is comparatively cheaper than kerosene, and it is not available in all the markets. One has to travel to Jugsalai, Burmamines, or Mango to buy kerosene,” said Kadma resident Binod Mahato, who bought an earthen stove and is looking for kerosene and firewood.Milkman Kailash Rai said people are regularly coming to his cattle shed to buy upla (cow dung cake) stacks. He said demand for the uplas increased, but he presently is selling a stack of 50 pieces for Rs 100.
