Gorakhpur MP Demands New Law to Regulate Food Prices, Cites Samosa Disparity

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In an appeal to address the rising cost and inconsistent quality of food, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Ravi Kishan called for a new law to regulate prices at eateries across the country. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour on Wednesday, the actor-turned-politician used the relatable example of a samosa to illustrate his point. Kishan argued that a lack of uniformity in pricing, portion size, and quality at restaurants, hotels, and roadside “dhabas” creates confusion for the average consumer and can lead to financial strain.

Kishan, who represents Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the significant price variations for common food items. “Somewhere you get a samosa at X rate in a dhaba, while it is served at Y price point,” he said, adding that even the size of samosas can vary widely. He also cited the popular dish dal tadka, noting its price can range from approximately ₹100 at a small outlet to ₹1,000 at a high-end hotel. This disparity, he claimed, makes it difficult for consumers to know what they are paying for and how much food they will receive.

The BJP MP’s demand comes at a time when inflation, particularly in food prices, remains a key concern for many Indian households. Kishan’s speech was an attempt to bring a common person’s struggle into the parliamentary discourse. He pointed out that while the government has implemented many transformative changes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this particular issue has not received sufficient attention.

To address the problem, Kishan proposed a law that would mandate eateries to specify the quantity of food items on their menus, similar to how packaged products like biscuits or bread list their weight. “Therefore, I demand that the government bring a law to regulate prices of food items, their quality, and their quantity so that customers get them at affordable prices,” he stated, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The proposal by the Gorakhpur MP is significant because it touches on an issue that directly affects millions of daily commuters and a growing middle class who frequently eat out. Whether the government will consider drafting a law based on his suggestion remains to be seen, but Kishan’s use of the simple, universal example of a samosa has effectively brought a nuanced economic concern to the forefront of national conversation.