Some hotels switch to alternative methods to cook; panic buying of fuel subsides
Chennai (PTI): A section of hotels and restaurants operating in Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu have commenced using alternative methods to keep the business running in view of the commercial LPG shortage, officials said.
Some of the alternative methods of cooking that hoteliers said they were adopting include induction stoves and firewood. They said they adopt these methods in addition to the tweaking of menus in order to minimise LPG usage.
A top official of a city-based popular restaurant chain told PTI, "We have moved to using induction stoves. Most of our branches are using this facility now, as we have adequate infrastructure to prepare the food on the induction stoves".
Asked whether food prices would increase as induction stoves consume electricity, he replied in the negative, stating, "We are not increasing the prices. Currently, we are running our operations instead of shutting down."
A representative of Tamil Nadu Hotels' Association said that since kitchens of most of the hotels are constructed in such a way that they can use only LPG, not firewood.
"Those who have the facility to use firewood or induction may run their business. But most of them do not have that comfort. Second, using firewood also leads to air pollution," the official said.
Meanwhile, industry sources said fuel pumps are slowly getting back to normalcy as people have stopped panic buying of petrol and diesel.
"Over the last two days, there was panic buying, many ignored appeals and stood in queues for more than 2 hours to get their tank filled. Since there was a huge demand, existing stock dried up, and we were forced to shut." Gopi Bhaktavatchalam, an IndianOil dealer in Ashok Nagar in Chennai, told PTI.
"I have been individually appealing to the people not to fall for this panic buying, as it was spreading across the country. We are not Pakistan, where fuel outlets go dry due to a shortage. We are Indians, and our Hon'ble Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had told us that we have adequate reserves for 70 days. Despite such an assurance given by the government, people thronged fuel outlets. As a retail outlet, we were unable to meet the huge demand," he said.
For Saturday, he said the oil major has supplied inventory, and gradually the situation is 'returning to normalcy'. "People have realised that they fell into the trap of panic buying. Situation is returning to normalcy."
He continued: "Yesterday alone, this outlet sold more than 50 per cent higher than our usual daily sales".
Meanwhile, in a notification to fuel pump dealers, IndianOil Corporation directed its fuel outlets to avoid filling petrol and diesel in "bottles and containers."
"Under the Petroleum Act of 1934, Retail Outlets are typically only licensed to dispense fuel directly into vehicle tanks or approved specialised containers. Selling in loose bottles is a violation that can lead to serious violations and endanger public safety," the notification said.
Plastic bottles and other containers can be dissolved or made brittle by petrol, leading to leaks, spills and dangerous chemical reactions, it said. "Guidelines and restrictions are also in place to prevent the misuse of fuel for antisocial activities or criminal acts," it added.
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Trump rushed out of dinner event after shots fired; one arrested
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump and other top White House officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual dinner of White House correspondents after a man armed with multiple weapons fired shots outside the ballroom of the hotel.
The incident took place at around 8:34 PM local time when dinner was served. At that time, Trump was seen having a conversation with Weijia Jiang, the President of the White House Correspondents' Association, and mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was scheduled to present a show at the marquee event at the Washington Hilton here.
Secret Service officials and other security personnel covered the President, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance, and the Second Lady Usha Vance, who were seated at the head table, and escorted them out of the ballroom.
Several guests at the dinner, including leaders across the political spectrum, journalists and other invitees, ducked under the table, apparently as a reflex reaction.
Putting up a brave face, President Trump later announced on Truth Social that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom is all that I heard, and many guests ducked under the table,” a C-SPAN reporter at the dinner said.
Hours later, Trump addressed a press conference at the White House and announced that the security personnel had captured one person who hails from California.
“I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray going down. I've heard that many times. It was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He (the attacker) hadn't reached the area at all. They really got him,” Trump told reporters, recalling the incident.
Trump said one security officer was shot at but saved as he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Several protestors had lined up on the road outside the hotel, raising slogans against the Trump administration and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A CNN reporter who was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton said he saw a gunman opening fire just a few feet away. He was among the dozens of attendees who took cover as law enforcement swarmed the venue.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California.
Asked how Saturday’s incident impacts him as the US president, Trump told reporters he is in a dangerous job but that he is no “basket case.”
“I like not to think about it. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. I think I handle it as well as it can be handled,” Trump said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
“I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives...everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd,” he said.
“We had some great work done by law enforcement, but in light of this evening's events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully,” Trump said.
