GUJRAT: The bakers association has slashed the rates of essential bakery items, including ‘double roti’ and rusks etc, in its price list issued on Thursday.

The price of large double roti has been reduced by Rs20 from Rs220 to Rs200 and that of small bread from Rs120 to Rs110 whereas the rate of one kg rusk has been cut from Rs680 to Rs640, biscuits price has come down from Rs1,200 to Rs1,000 while the rate of cake has been reduced by Rs100 per pound.

The new price list, issued by the local bakers’ association, has also been displayed on the bakery outlets in the city.

The prices have come down following two meetings of the officials of the district administration, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and the bakers association on Wednesday. Gujrat DC Safdar Virk chaired the two sessions of the meetings whereas Additional Deputy Commissioner General Afzal Hayat Tarar, PFA Deputy Director Umair Arshad and other officials were also present.

The DC said the new rates should be implemented in letter and spirit and it was mandatory on the bakeries to display the price list in their outlets. He warned the bakers of action in case of violation.

The Punjab government had issued a notification on Monday, directing all the commissioners and deputy commissioners to take steps to reduce prices of bakery items, particularly the double roti following a report in Dawn that highlighted the cut in the price of refined flour (Maida) by at least Rs5,000 per 80kg bag from Rs13,000 to Rs8,000.

The government also included the double roti and some other bakery products in the list of essential food items, authorising the district administrations to fix their prices on a monthly basis.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2024