Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Govt is working to step up the supply of induction cooktops and vessels, while nudging companies and institutional kitchens to move to electricity-based cooking to reduce pressure on gas.To meet the immediate requirement of cooktops, whose demand has increased in the wake of LPG concerns, imports are lined up, while domestic production is sought to be speeded up in the coming weeks.Commerce & industry minister Piyush Goyal, DPIIT secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia, power secretary Pankaj Agarwal and DGFT Lav Aggarwal discussed the issue on Saturday, which was followed by discussions with industry representatives.In the coming days, govt is expected to relax some of the norms, such as postponing the implementation of a quality control order on consumer electronics by six months, to create domestic production capability.Induction cookers have around 60% import component, including PCB and microcrystalline glass, while the vessels used for cooking need a layer of coating which is also imported in large quantities. Industry executives have sought concessions, including lower import duty on certain inputs as well as a cut in GST.The initial rush for cylinders resulted in consumers flocking to stores and e-commerce sites, resulting in a stockout on several online platforms.Industry sources said that they have placed orders for cooktops, which are expected to land over the next few weeks, including through air freight. A senior govt official said govt wants to ensure adequate availability and reasonable pricing of induction cooktops.Separately, govt is also pushing factories, canteens and restaurants with large kitchens to shift from LPG or piped gas to electric cooking. Industry estimates suggest that converting an industrial kitchen from LPG to induction may cost about Rs 15 lakh, compared with annual LPG costs of about Rs 50 lakh. This could result in annual savings of Rs 35 lakh, and a total payback period of around three years, as electric kitchens are about three times more expensive to set up.Already, as reported by TOI in its Chennai edition, companies such as engineering firm Danfoss India, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles and auto components maker ZF have moved to electric cooking. In an exchange filing, Jubilant Foodworks, which has franchisee arrangements with several players, including Domino’s Pizza, said it is working on alternate energy sources like electricity and piped natural gas to conserve LPG.Several companies making induction cooktops had seen an increase in prices when demand surged initially but most have seen the value erosion since the start of the war in Iran.
