LAHORE, Sept 25: Abdul Wahid is among the scores of men who have set up kiosks or stalls in almost every big and small market of the city with the beginning of Ramazan on Monday in an attempt to increase income.

A low-grade employee in a Punjab government department, Mr Wahid has jumped into the venture on the motivation of a colleague who has been selling `kagzi samosas and rolls’ at a roadside stall for the past many years during the holy month.

“It’s better to work and earn when one has spare time,” says Mr Wahid who comes home from office after 2pm during Ramazan and after one-and-a-half hours sells `dahi baray’ at a stall at the Karim Market of Allama Iqbal Town.

Wahid’s better half boils potatoes, preparing `pakorian’, `bhalay’ and salad and he brings `dahi’ while coming home.

His colleague, who wished to be identified as a clerk, says he earns a substantial amount every Ramazan by selling `samosas and vegetable rolls.’

“But this time, I may not be able to save much because of the price hike. The prices of every input have been raised manifold. Last year, ghee was Rs30 to Rs36, canola oil Rs48 to Rs50 per kg and the LPG was Rs36 per kg. The unprecedented price hike has reduced profit margins.”

The two had properly covered their stuff. “We’ve prepared our products as if these are to be consumed by our family,” they said and added that none of the people involved in the preparation of the stuff ever had any communicable disease.

However, the situation at a number of such roadside outlets at Yateem Khana Chowk, Scheme Morr, Bhatti Gate was far from satisfactory. A majority of these outlets were the extensions of big shops and have been set up either near busy intersections or along bus stops where dust particles could be seen in the air.