TAXILA: Tandoor owners in Taxila and Wah are still selling naan at Rs25, challenging the writ of the government as the local administration has failed to implement the new price lists to provide relief to the public.

The provincial government issued a notification fixing the price at Rs20 for a standard size naan of 120 grams while assistant commissioners and price control magistrates were tasked with ensuring the enforcement of the new prices. It has been observed however that instead of adhering to the mandated lower prices, the Naanbai Association continues to sell naan at higher rates.

It was also observed that despite the notification, the price of bread did not decrease as roti is still being sold at Rs20 and the notification of selling roti at Rs16 and naan at Rs20 has not been implemented.

Zohaib Salman, a resident of Muslim Colony, lamented the lack of reduction in prices at tandoors where roti was still being sold at Rs20 and naan at Rs25.

Residents say despite revised price list issued by district administration, tandoor owners selling naan at Rs25

Mushtaq Turk, a resident of Banni mohallah said despite the Punjab government’s announcement and new price list issued by the district administration, tandoors and nanbais were selling naan at Rs25.

Former member Punjab Assembly Prof Waqas Khan said that tandoor and naanbai had refused to comply with the government order, maintaining their own pricing structure. He said no nanbai had displayed the official price list in Taxila and Wah while the local administration officials were looking the whole affair as an idle spectator.

Mohammad Qadeem, Vice President Nanbai Association, said the government was not giving any subsidy on gas and electricity to nanbais who were using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Therefore, it was not possible to reduce the prices.

“First of all, there should have been a notification on reduction in the prices of flour and LPG for the tandoors,” he added. He said they would be selling roti at the government rate if they were provided subsidy.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Salman Akbar Warraich said strict action would be taken against those violating the price regulations. Responding to a question, he said that during a crackdown against tandoors and nanbais violating the official price list, fines amounting to Rs95,000 were imposed on 15 of them. He said three naanbais were sent behind bars after registration of cases against them for repeated violation of the price list. He said price magistrates had been assigned specific tasks to ensure compliance with the new roti and naan prices.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2024