LANDI KOTAL: The local tailors have decried fixing of official rates for sewing clothes, saying they have to bear extra expenses by using generators owing to suspension of electricity to the bazaar for almost three years.

The administration has fixed Rs600 per suit for adults and Rs350 for sewing the clothes of children. The tailors, however, said that the new prices were fixed by assistant commissioner without taking them into confidence.

Abid Jan, a tailor in Landi Kotal Bazaar, told this scribe that he had installed his own generator and spent Rs2,000 on fuel every day to supply electricity to his shop.

He said that the prices of stitching material were also increased manifold during the last four to five years and it was not possible for them to comply with the official rates.

Mr Jan said that most of the tailors and other shopkeepers at Landi Kotal Bazaar had on a number of occasions shown readiness to install power meters at their workplaces but the local administration and the grid staff were dragging their feet on it.

“We are more than willing to install meters provided that the grid station staff ensures provision of electricity for at least 10 to 12 hours,” he said. He added that power supply to the bazaar had been suspended for the last more than three years.

Mohammad Saleem, anther tailor, said with fixing of new official rates, their profit margin was reduced considerably. “I have at least eight assistants while the fuel cost is an additional burden on us and thus it is extremely difficult to earn any decent profit with the rates fixed by the administration,” he added.

Most of the tailors have also stopped taking new orders as limited days are left to Eidul Fitr.

The Local administration has also issued rates for haircutting at Landi Kotal Bazaar. Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Imran has directed the Khasadar Force to ensure strict implementation of the official rates both for tailors and barbers.

He also ordered barbers to use sterilised equipment along with abiding by hygiene and standard cleanliness at their workplaces.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2019