Hyderabad administration drives down roti prices to Rs18
Following the lead of the Punjab government, the district administration has slashed the official prices of chapati, tandoor roti to Rs15 to Rs18 per piece.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tariq Qureshi on Tuesday issued a notification announcing the revised rates, accompanied by a stern warning of repercussions for traders who defy to flout out the official prices.
As per the notification, a 100-gram tandoor roti or chapati will now be priced at Rs15 each, while a 120-gram naan will cost Rs18.
Currently, naan is being retailed at Rs30 to Rs50 per piece at most of the tandoor shops and roadside eateries, with chapati and tandoori roti ranging between Rs25 to Rs40.
Meanwhile, luxury eateries have been known to charge as much as Rs80 per naan. Qureshi, apart from urging traders to adhere to the official rates, instructed the assistant commissioners to conduct on-the-spot inspections in collaboration with the Sindh Weights and Measurement Department to ensure compliance with both rates and weights.
Furthermore, the DC advised the public to resist overcharging by hotels or naan shops and encouraged them to lodge complaints against violators at his office or with AC's offices.
He highlighted that the reduction in the prices of roti and naan is a response to the recent decline in wheat and flour prices.
On April 19, the DC Hyderabad fixed the wholesale and retail prices of wheat flour at Rs103 per kilogram and Rs108 per kilogram, respectively.
Similarly, Atta Chakki sold flour rates were set at Rs111 per kilogram and Rs116 per kilogram.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2024.