Viral video shows chulha cooking at Meerut hospital
Staff allege 4-day LPG shortage
Officials deny crisis, call claims “baseless”
Hospital says stove used only to heat water
Conflicting statements raise questions
Linked to wider LPG supply disruption in India
A government hospital in Meerut has come under scrutiny after a viral video showed meals being prepared on traditional wood-fired stoves, raising serious concerns about essential facilities in public healthcare.
The incident took place at PL Sharma Hospital (Meerut District Hospital), where staff were reportedly forced to cook food using wood and cardboard due to an alleged shortage of LPG cylinders. According to a staff member said the hospital kitchen had been without cooking gas for four days, disrupting meal preparation for patients.
The video, widely circulated on social media, shows large pots placed over makeshift ‘chulhas’, with kitchen staff struggling to manage food preparation. The situation reportedly made it difficult to serve meals on time to admitted patients.
The clip clearly shows workers cooking food in bulk using firewood, highlighting a gap between official claims and on-ground conditions.
The issue has drawn attention amid a broader LPG supply disruption across parts of India, with delays, rising prices, and allegations of black marketing being reported in several regions.
As reported by TOI, authorities have offered contradictory explanations regarding the situation.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Ashok Kataria stated that the shortage came to light on Thursday and was quickly addressed. He said the hospital coordinated with the district supply department and ensured gas availability.
However, District Supply Officer Vinay Kumar Singh dismissed the shortage claims as “baseless and fabricated.” He questioned whether the hospital had even placed a refill request and added that supply was provided once a demand was communicated. He also noted that the hospital requires approximately one LPG cylinder per day for patient meals.
Hospital authorities have downplayed the incident.
According to Dainik Bhaskar, Hospital Superintendent Dr. BP Kaushik said the person seen in the viral video was not a cook but a helper involved in food distribution. According to him, the worker had lit a stove only to heat water, not to prepare meals.
Kaushik also claimed that the hospital premises had adequate LPG supply, and the cylinder shortage was temporary, with refills ordered immediately after depletion.
Dr. Kaushik further alleged that the video was recorded by an outsider who gained access to the hospital kitchen. He said the individual engaged a staff member in conversation before filming.
An internal inquiry is now underway to determine how the person entered a restricted area without obstruction. Hospital authorities have reportedly alerted staff to prevent similar incidents in the future.
(Rh/ARC)