Tandoor owners seek hike in roti price

Issue of supply of subsidised flour not resolved between flour mill owners, food dept

LAHORE: The owners of tandoors have given the government an ultimatum to increase the price of bread as the issue of supply of subsidised flour has not been resolved despite negotiations between flour mill owners and the food department.

The flour prices have increased across Punjab but a decision has not been made about supply of subsidised flour to the owners of clay ovens. Amid uncertainty, a series of meetings were held to resolve the issue but the tandoor owners have started putting pressure on the district administration for a otification to increase the prices of naan.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner Danish Afzal said that the decision to maintain or increase the price of bread will be taken after talks between the food department and flour mill owners.

On the other hand, after delay in the official decision, the oven owners themselves increased the price by two rupees. Now they have given an ultimatum to increase the price of naan to Rs15 from Rs12.

Muttahida Nan Roti Association President Muhammad Aslam chaired a meeting held to hold consultation regarding the increase in the prices of flour by the mill owners. The association decided that if the government did not restore the old prices of flour, the prices of bread would also be increased.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2020.