RAWALPINDI: The district administration on Wednesday further decreased the price of Roti from Rs15 to Rs14 and asked the tandoorwalas (bakers) to implement the new rate with immediate effect.

On the other hand, All Pakistan Naanbai Association Secretary General Khursheed Qureshi rejected the new price, saying that they would not be able to sell Roti at less than Rs15.

In April, on the directions of the Punjab government, the district administration had issued new rates of Roti, which was fixed at Rs15 and that of Naan at Rs20. However, after reduction in the price of wheat flour, the government sought further reduction in the price of Roti. Therefore the district administration fixed the price of Roti at Rs14 whereas no change in price of Naan was notified.

According to the spokesman, the Rawalpindi district administration is fully active to ensure that the fixed prices of Roti and Naan were implemented.

As per details, 142 tandoors were checked during the last 48 hours and 35 tandoor owners were found selling Roti and Naan at more than the fixed prices. They were fined to the tune of Rs133,000.

Since May 1, more than 4,000 tandoors were checked across the district and a fine of Rs2.7 million was imposed on 827 violators. An FIR had been registered against three people and 58 tandoors were sealed.

On the other hand, restaurants are still charging high price for Roti and Naan. The owners said the district administration’s decision to fix uniform rates for tandoors and restaurants was unjustified.

They said the administration was fining restaurants for the rate of Roti fixed for tandoors.

“Tandoors are given gas at Rs700 per MMBTU, while restaurants pay Rs3,900 per MMBTU. Restaurant owners provide excellent services to their customers while the Roti from the tandoor is not of good standard,” said Restaurant Owners Association Chaudhry Farooq.

“Restaurants cannot sell Roti at the rate of tandoors. Roti with all expenses costs Rs18.5 at small hotels and more than Rs25 at big restaurants,” he added.

Khursheed Qureshi, meanwhile, said there was no fixed price of wheat flour in the market and the administration was fixing new rates of Roti. He said in Islamabad, Roti was being sold at Rs18 and we were being forced to sell it at Rs14.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2024