Bilaspur Administration Cracks Down on Overcharging with Fixed Food Prices
In a significant move aimed at protecting tourists from inflated food bills, the Bilaspur district administration in Himachal Pradesh has issued a strict order fixing the maximum retail prices for dishes served at roadside eateries and small guesthouses. The directive, issued by District Magistrate Rahul Kumar, specifies the exact price and composition for popular items, sparking a debate between officials and food stall owners.
What's on the Menu? The Official Price List
The order, enacted under the H.P. Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order, 1977, lays out a detailed menu with non-negotiable rates. A plate of mutton curry has been fixed at Rs 130 and must contain a minimum of five meat pieces, with the total weight being 200 grams. For vegetarians, a plate of palak paneer or matar paneer is priced at Rs 90 and must include at least 100 grams of paneer. A complete vegetarian thali, comprising rice, chapati, dal, and vegetables, is set at Rs 70.
To ensure compliance, the administration has also fixed the prices of key raw materials that these eateries can charge. These include:
- Mutton: Rs 500 per kg
- Pork: Rs 300 per kg
- Fish: Rs 200 per kg
- Paneer: Rs 300 per kg
- Curd: Rs 70
The order was issued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and is valid for an initial period of one month, with the possibility of an extension.
Official Stance: Curbing Overcharging for Tourists
Officials have defended the move as a necessary step to prevent overcharging, especially as Bilaspur is being developed as a major adventure water sports destination. DM Rahul Kumar clarified that the order targets the over thousand unaffiliated roadside eateries and small guesthouses, not established hotels and restaurants regulated by the tourism department.
Brijender Pathania, the Bilaspur District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC), stated that the order will "help us curb overcharging on both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items." An anonymous official from the district tourism department added that more such orders are expected to ensure tourist convenience, given the state's push to promote activities at the Gobind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej river.
Eatery Owners' Dilemma: Are the Fixed Rates Feasible?
While the administration's intent is to protect tourists, the order has been met with strong resistance from eatery owners who argue that the fixed prices are commercially unviable. Owners from key locations in the district have voiced their concerns.
Rajesh Kumar, who runs a small eatery at the Shree Naina Devi Ji pilgrimage site, questioned the logic. "The rates fixed by the local administration are not feasible. For instance, how do they expect us to sell stuffed parathas for Rs 20 a piece? The rates for vegetarian items are on the lower side," he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Dharminder Singh, owner of Dholra Guesthouse near AIIMS Bilaspur, stated, "Even a roadside eatery charges Rs 10 for a chapati. No eatery owner can afford to sell a stuffed paratha for Rs 20. Similarly, Rs 70 for a full vegetarian meal is not feasible." They argue that factors like location, quality of ingredients, and operational costs are not considered in the flat pricing.
Mahinder Seth, President of the Himachal Pradesh Hotel Association, pointed out that prices in the hospitality sector naturally vary based on the quality of service, which is regulated by the tourism department under different rules.
A Precedent in Shimla and the Road Ahead
This is not the first time such a measure has been attempted in Himachal Pradesh. In the state capital, Shimla, a similar directive was challenged in court by eateries and shopkeepers. Narinder Dhiman, the Shimla DFSC, confirmed that the court issued a stay order on the price-fixing directive, and the hearing has been ongoing for over five years.
As the one-month validity of the Bilaspur order begins, the clash between regulatory control and free-market practicality is set to continue. The district administration is firm on its pro-tourist stance, while the local eateries struggle with the economics of the diktat, setting the stage for a crucial month that could shape the future of food pricing in the emerging tourist hub.
