LAHORE: The tandoor operators have increased the price of roti from Rs10 to 15 amid a looming shortage of subsidised flour in the city.

Earlier, the tandoor operators have increased the price of nan from Rs15 to Rs20. The official rates of the roti and nan are Rs10 and Rs15, respectively.

There was around five million kg flour consumption in the city on a daily basis but around 2.7m kg was being provided at utility stores.

Subsidised flour shortage in city

The shortage of subsidised flour was creating problems for the citizens in various parts of the city and they were complaining about the non-availability of the flour at stores and open markets.

The tandoor operators said the price of the flour was increased in the open market and they could not purchase the commodity from the market and demanded provision of flour at utility stores.

The mill owners admitted that there was a shortage of the flour because the government was providing less wheat quota to them.

They said there was a demand of more than 20,000 tonnes for wheat in Punjab but only 16 maund quota was being provided to them.

They said the supply of flour to other regions including Lahore would improve in a few days.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Umar Sher Chattha has taken notice of the shortage of flour in various areas of the city.

He also took notice of the increasing price of nan and roti in different areas of the city and said strict action would be taken against the owners of tandoors for violating the government fixed prices.

He directed the assistant commissioners to immediately contact the mills and ensure the supply of flour.

He also directed the additional deputy commissioner general (ADCG) to check the supply of flour at Garhi Shahu, GT Road, Shadbagh, Ghoray Shah, Salamatpura and Dubbanpura.

The assistant commissioners and the respective price control magistrates were directed to check the notified prices immediately.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2022