Bengaluru: Amid an LPG shortage crisis in some parts of the country, as a result of the Iran-US war and its repercussions in West Asia, a novel move by a café in Bengaluru has taken internet by storm and sparked an online debate.
Theo Café, located on Narayanpura Main Road in north Bengaluru’s Kothanur, attracted attention after one user shared the photo of a bill on X.
It shows the café added a 5 per cent ‘Gas Crisis Charge’ to a customer’s lemonade order.
This unheard-of fee, applied on a bill for two Mint Lemonades, has stumped netizens.
Over and above the lemonades, priced at Rs 179 each, Theo Café included a ‘Gas Crisis Charge’ of Rs 17.01, added standard GST (5%), and applied a 5 per cent discount, with the final bill being Rs 374.
“Gas crisis charge” on a lemonade 🤣
Source: r/bangalore pic.twitter.com/wkAU1QIsNl
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) March 15, 2026
As the photo of the bill was widely shared on X, users flooded the comments section with varied reactions.
“Nimbu garam karke daala hai kya? (did they boil the lemon?)” was the most common question.
“Next what? Bangalore charging for change in weather,” wrote another user.
“A lemonade costs Rs 10 on the road and is free of cost at home,” commented a netizen.
Many questioned the legality of the fee, asking whether the café had the right to charge this unusual fee.
Some netizens defended the cafe, making the point that rising LPG costs could make such a small charge reasonable.
“When a person is good to afford Rs 179 for a mere lemonade which would otherwise cost Rs 10-15, another Rs 17 shouldn’t burden any further. Also, a discount of Rs 18 is already provided, nullifying the charge levied,” expressed one person.
Some even suggested that the extra charge should be optional for customers.