09-22-2010, 12:46 PM
LAHORE - Tandoor owners have increased the prices of roti and naan without getting permission of District Administration after the closure of Sasti Roti Scheme of Punjab government, a survey conducted by TheNation revealed on Tuesday.
However, the sudden closure of sasti roti scheme and increase in the prices of roti and naan multiplied worries of the citizens including those belonging to the low-income stratum of the society.
The restaurants and tandoor owners across the City now are selling roti on Rs 3 to 4 and charging Rs 5 to 6 on naan. In this regard some tandoor owners have informed that they are charging Rs 3 on roti weighing 75 gram while charging Rs 4 on roti weighing 100 gram. The tandoor owners are also charging Rs 5 on naan weighing 75 gram and Rs 6 on naan weighing 100 gram.
Moreover, they were of the view that they compelled to increase prices of both items when government stopped supply of subsidised flour bags to them after the closure of sasti roti scheme and rapidly increasing prices of flour and fine (used for making naan) in the open market.
“Instead of increasing prices of roti and naan, we decreased weight of both items because the citizens particularly their regular customers are forcing them not to increase prices, eventually they compelled to decrease weight”, said Haji Latif, a tandoor owner and office-bearer of a local roti and naan association.
He said such decision was being taken with the consent of the members of association and tandoor owners keeping in mind unusual raise in utility bills particularly raise in electricity, gas tariffs. He said with recent increase in prices of roti and naan, they could be able to continue their business out of which they are earning hardly bread and butter for their families.
However, the sudden closure of sasti roti scheme and increase in the prices of roti and naan multiplied worries of the citizens including those belonging to the low-income stratum of the society.
The restaurants and tandoor owners across the City now are selling roti on Rs 3 to 4 and charging Rs 5 to 6 on naan. In this regard some tandoor owners have informed that they are charging Rs 3 on roti weighing 75 gram while charging Rs 4 on roti weighing 100 gram. The tandoor owners are also charging Rs 5 on naan weighing 75 gram and Rs 6 on naan weighing 100 gram.
Moreover, they were of the view that they compelled to increase prices of both items when government stopped supply of subsidised flour bags to them after the closure of sasti roti scheme and rapidly increasing prices of flour and fine (used for making naan) in the open market.
“Instead of increasing prices of roti and naan, we decreased weight of both items because the citizens particularly their regular customers are forcing them not to increase prices, eventually they compelled to decrease weight”, said Haji Latif, a tandoor owner and office-bearer of a local roti and naan association.
He said such decision was being taken with the consent of the members of association and tandoor owners keeping in mind unusual raise in utility bills particularly raise in electricity, gas tariffs. He said with recent increase in prices of roti and naan, they could be able to continue their business out of which they are earning hardly bread and butter for their families.