LAHORE: As the city administration started arresting those involved in flouting its instructions to sell Naan and Roti for Rs15 (120gram) and Rs10 (100g) respectively, the association of Nanbais (Tandoor operators) on Thursday threatened to go on a strike in near future if the city district administration did not stop its action with immediate effect.

Moreover, the association announced to sell Naan and Roti for Rs20 and Rs15 with effect from June 25.

“It seems that the city administration is making our life harder, leaving us with no option but to close down our shops. The government’s action to force us to sell Naan and Roti at the rate of Rs15 and Rs10 is absolutely illogical keeping in view the sky-rocketing prices of everything,” Aftab Gill, Muttahida Naan Roti Association president, told Dawn when contacted.

According to Mr Gill, Lahore has over 10,000 Tandoors providing jobs to nearly 40,000 workers. Most of the shops used to sell Naan and Roti for Rs18 and Rs10 respectively four months back when the fine flour (maida) was available in the market at the rate of Rs5,900 per 84kg bag. But now, the rate of per bag, which has now been reduced to 80kg is being sold in the open market for Rs6,700. Similarly a 20kg and 10kg fine flour bag is being sold in the open market at rate of Rs1,100 and Rs810, respectively.

Association announces revised rates from 25th

“Besides increase in the flour price, we are also facing impact of the increased gas and electricity rates. Moreover, due to gas loadshedding, we are using the raw wood and LPG cylinders to keep our Tandoors operational. Now you tell us how we can sell the Naan and Roti as per the price fixed by the administration without any official notification and justification,” he said, requesting the administration to look into the issue instead of arresting the poor Nanbais.

When asked why don’t they use the flour available at 1,100 sale points for Rs980 (20kg) and Rs490 (10kg) subsidised prices, he said it was not possible for them to send their men to markets and get such flour in little quantity by waiting for hours in long queues. “Why don’t they provide the same at our shops. And if they provide us at our door steps we would follow their orders, otherwise we will charge the rates we have calculated after counting all expenses,” he argued.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the city administration dispelled the impression, stating that the a huge quantity of subsidised flour is available at 1,100 sale points in the city. “On Thursday alone, we sold 225,000 flour bags to the people. There is no rush at all and they (the Nanbais) can easily get subsidised flour as per their daily demand,” he added.

Meanwhile, the city administration teams on Thursday arrested three people for selling low weight Naan and Roti on the rates higher than the fixed ones. The teams also imposed fine on other vendors too, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn,June 10th, 2022