October 18, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 5, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Oct 17: Despite the crackdown launched by the city district government against increase in the price of nan or roti, owners of tandoors (clay ovens) in Rawalpindi continue to sell them at a price that is neither palatable to the public nor acceptable to the administration.

According to information gathered from different tandoors in the city and cantonment areas, each nan or roti, that weighs less than 120 grams, was being sold at Rs4.

The district government arrested some tandoor owners for selling the bread at this higher price. Most tandoors in the city and cantonment areas remained closed in protest against the government crackdown.

The rate of nan was increased by Re1 on Eid day. Taking advantage of Eid holidays, tandoor owners had a free hand in imposing their will by charging Rs4 per nan.

A majority of the people thought the increase in price was temporary and would revert back to normal after Eid was over. But when this price increase persisted even four days after Eid, people seriously questioned the effectiveness of the district government.

On Wednesday, the first working day after Eid holidays, the district administration warned tandoor owners to bring down prices or face prosecution.

The administration had arrested around 12 Nanbais from the city for selling under-weight nans at a higher price. Magistrates and food inspectors imposed fines ranging from Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 on them. But these measures proved ineffective in checking the price-hike.

Protesting against the arrests, a majority of Nanbais shut down their businesses and demanded the release of their arrested colleagues. With the closure of tandoors, people had to face hardships.

The administration came into action on Wednesday and held a meeting with the office-bearers of Nanbais. It was decided, and later announced, that nan weighing 120 gram will be sold for Rs3.

The meeting chaired by the district nazim, Raja Javed Akhlas, warned Nanbais that the administration would not allow them to increase the price of nan and the campaign against profiteers would continue unabated. Their objective was to provide relief to the people, he added.

The city district administration had collected Rs2.5 million in fines, imposed on profiteers and hoarders during Ramazan.

While the administration failed to check the sky-rocketing prices despite raids during the holy month, the business community also failed to honour their commitment of maintaining prices of kitchen items at reasonable levels.

The crisis, which started with the disappearance of atta from the market, continues even after Eid, when the price of tomatoes has gone beyond the reach of people. It’s an acid test for the administration to bring down the prices of kitchen items starting with the challenge posed by the Nanbais.