'Inflation is higher in West Bengal than in Tamil Nadu': P Chidambaram on tea for Rs 340 at Kolkata airport

P Chidambaram identified the establishment in question as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has raised concerns over the steep price of tea at Kolkata Airport, sparking a discussion about inflation in different parts of India. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Chidambaram shared his surprise at being charged Rs 340 for a simple tea made with hot water and a tea bag at a restaurant in the airport. He took a subtle jab at the situation, suggesting that "inflation is higher in West Bengal than in Tamil Nadu."

Chidambaram, a Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, identified the establishment in question as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. He linked the incident to a previous experience at Chennai Airport, where he had similarly noted the high cost of the same tea combination. "A couple of years ago, I found that 'hot water and tea bag' cost Rs 80 in Chennai airport, and I tweeted about it. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) took note and took corrective steps," he recalled.

"I just discovered that Tea made of Hot Water and a Tea Bag costs Rs 340 in Kolkata airport. The restaurant is 'The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf'. A couple of years ago I found that 'hot water and tea bag' cost Rs 80 in Chennai airport, and I tweeted about it. AAI took note and took corrective steps. Apparently, inflation is higher in West Bengal than in Tamil Nadu," Chidambaram wrote.

I just discovered that Tea made of Hot Water and a Tea Bag costs Rs 340 in Kolkata airportThe restaurant is 'The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf'A couple of years ago I found that'hot water and tea bag' cost Rs 80 in Chennai airport, and I tweeted about it. AAI took note and took
P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 13, 2024

The former Union Home Minister, who has frequently voiced his concerns about inflation, used the post to subtly highlight the disparity in pricing between states, noting the apparent difference in inflation between Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Since being shared on X, the post has amassed close to 70,000 views. Chidambaram’s comments reignited conversations about the cost of everyday items in high-traffic areas such as airports, where prices are often significantly higher than average.

"Exactly it's very costly at the airport. Everything that is sold at the airport is 10 times costlier than a normal restaurant," a user wrote. Another user commented, "Airport vendors get license on highest bidder basis. Therefore they have to sell at higher rates to make profit. In Singapore, airport vendors cannot charge higher than city rates as per bid condition."

A third user added, "I carry my tea bags and just buy hot water."

Meanwhile, in 2018,  Chidambaram wrote in a post on X. “At Chennai Airport Coffee Day I asked for tea. Offered hot water and tea bag, price Rs 135. Horrified, I declined. Was I right or wrong?"

“Coffee Rs 180. I asked who buys it? Answer was 'many'. Am I outdated?” he asked in another tweet.