HARIPUR, Oct 31: Naanbais (bread-makers) in town warned the administration on Wednesday that they would increase the roti price to Rs4 from the existing Rs3 if it failed to issue orders to this effect in 72 hours.

Addressing a press conference, Naanbais Association president Syed Kifayat Ali Shah said that two years back official rate for a roti was fixed at Rs3. Since then, he said, price of a 100 kg flour bag had increased from Rs700 to Rs1800, gas tariff had moved up by 50 per cent and the labour charges had also been raised.

He said despite our repeated demand the official rate of roti had not been increased. He said it had now become difficult for bakers to continue with the existing rate. He said if the rate was not increased, the bakers had no other option but to shut their businesses.