A dispute has emerged between the district administration and associations representing chicken suppliers and naanbais over the enforcement of new, reduced prices for chicken and naan in Rawalpindi.
The Rawalpindi chicken suppliers and retailers associations have rejected the new pricing scheme and have called for a complete strike on Tuesday (today), suspending chicken supply across the division. Similarly, the Pakistan Naanbai Association has rebuffed the new prices and has announced a Rs5 hike in the prices of roti naan for the week.
A joint meeting of the General Council of Tandoor and Naanbai Association is set for Thursday to finalise the stance on the matter. The Islamabad Naanbai Association has pledged its support to the Punjab Naanbais and agreed to cease operations in Islamabad in case of a strike.
On the other hand, the Punjab Poultry Traders Association has disclosed that chicken farms in the province are selling chicken at Rs495 per kg, despite the government's set price of Rs425 per kg. This discrepancy raises questions regarding the viability of selling chicken below procurement costs, factoring in transportation and retailer margins. The traders are adamant that chicken cannot be sold at Rs425 per kg under any circumstances.
A strike is scheduled for (Tuesday) today, in protest against the recent pricing decision, affecting chicken supply in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Murree, and Talagang districts. There is a call for the Punjab government to regulate poultry farm prices and avoid unjust harassment or penalties against retailers.
Secretary of the Association and Vice President of the Retail Chicken Sellers Union, Haider Abbasi, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that price lists below Rs100 per kilogramme are deemed unacceptable by poultry farmers for premium chickens.
During Ramadan, chicken suppliers and retailers in Punjab provided discounted chicken at Rs25 per kg in model markets compared to the government's fixed rate. However, the recent governmental actions are seen as jeopardising the livelihoods of chicken vendors.
The administration is urged to stop the practice of filing FIRs and imposing fines on street vendors and focus instead on addressing pricing issues at the farm level. If the government persists, a protest is slated to start on April 16, leading to a cessation of chicken supply throughout Punjab.
Similarly, the Pakistan Naanbai Association opposes the decision to fix Pathiri red bread at Rs16 and khameeri roti at Rs20 district-wide.
Central President Shafiq Qureshi emphasised the necessity for subsidised flour to ensure affordable bread for the public. The current market prices for flour and operational costs render selling bread at lower prices unfeasible. There are proposals to increase the prices of Pathiri red bread, Khamiri roti, and naan, which will be non-negotiable if implemented.
The Islamabad Naanbai Association has expressed solidarity with the Punjab Naanbais, indicating potential unity in case of a strike in Rawalpindi. Deliberations are expected today between the Naanbai and Chicken Traders Association.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2024.
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