Former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh Criticizes Swiggy for Alleged Price Inflation on Pongal Orders

Food Delivery Platform Pricing Practices Under Scrutiny Following Viral Post by Sumalatha Ambareesh

Actor and former Member of Parliament from Karnataka, Sumalatha Ambareesh, has taken to social media to express her concerns over the pricing practices of food delivery platforms. In a recent post shared on X, Ambareesh alleged that she was charged significantly more than the actual price of a dish she ordered online in Bengaluru.

According to Ambareesh's post, she ordered pongal but ended up paying Rs 273 for an item that she claimed costs only Rs 115 at the restaurant. This discrepancy has raised concerns over transparency, with Ambareesh questioning whether such pricing is common, permissible, or ethical.

The issue quickly gained traction, sparking a wider conversation about the additional charges levied by food delivery platforms. Several users attempted to explain the pricing gap, pointing to factors such as commissions charged to restaurants, inflated menu prices on apps, and added fees like delivery charges, platform fees, packaging costs, and GST. Some users argued that these cumulative charges often result in customers paying nearly double the listed restaurant price.

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However, not everyone agreed with the scale of the difference highlighted. A few users noted that while extra charges are expected, such a steep jump in price seemed unusually high even after accounting for delivery distance and taxes. Others used the opportunity to criticise food delivery services more broadly, alleging issues ranging from pricing transparency to food quality and multiple layered charges.

The debate also drew mixed reactions in tone. While some supported Ambareesh for raising a consumer concern, others questioned whether such issues warranted attention from a former public representative. A section of users took a more cynical view, suggesting that platforms have gained significant market power and can impose pricing structures because of their widespread dependence among urban consumers.