SRINAGAR: In response to public concerns over the hike in local bread prices by bakers (nanwais), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, held a meeting with representatives of the Bakers Association to address the issue.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached to fix the price of one roti (approximately 42 grams) at Rs 7, a 63-gram roti at Rs 10, and three rotis at Rs 20 as a temporary measure for the next three months. This pricing will remain in effect until the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department completes its market analysis and submits a report.
The Bakers Association, led by its president Abdul Majid Pampuri, initially cited rising raw material costs and labour expenses as reasons for increasing prices to Rs10 and Rs 20 for rotis. Pampuri said “Our bakers start work early in the morning and continue until evening, often working long hours. We are also labourers, and rising costs have made operations difficult.” He also highlighted that bakers provide accommodation and other benefits to their staff, further increasing costs.
The price revision is expected to last for three months. Premium rotis such as those made with ghee remain unaffected, with prices unchanged at Rs10 and Rs 20.
