LAHORE:Energy shortages and rising prices have driven food inflation, with the gas shortage pushing tandoori roti prices sharply higher.
The triple energy crisis in the shape of power, natural gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) short supply and hike in its cost spills over to food inflation situation with tandoori roti and naan price hike continues unabatedly.
In the absence of proper natural gas supply, people are left with no option but to buy roti and naan from the market. However, surging cooking gas price is pushing tandoori roti prices sharply higher. The convergence of chronic natural gas shortages and a massive surge in LPG prices has dealt a fresh blow to the public, forcing a sharp increase in the prices of roti and naan. As the government implements aggressive gas load-shedding to manage dwindling reserves, the staple food of millions is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) have severely curtailed supply, leaving many tandoors with zero gas pressure during peak business hours. In many urban centers, modest supply of gas is now available in two brief slots—primarily for breakfast and dinner—and even then, low pressure often renders it unusable for commercial baking.
To keep their ovens hot, tandoor owners have been forced to shift to LPG, but this alternative has become a financial trap. The LPG price spike continues as people complained that they have to pay between Rs500 and Rs530 for a kg against official rate to 304 per kg.
Consequently, tandoori roti is being sold at Rs20 instead of Rs14 and naan at Rs25-35 at different localities including Samanabad, Iqbal Town, Walton, Saddar Bazar, DHA, Model Town. Gulberg, Faisal Town, Johar Town and Township. Furthermore, the official price of tandoori roti is not being implemented in Islampura, Gulshan Ravi, and Multan Road. Citizens are also being forced to buy expensive tandoori roti in several areas of Raiwind Road and ThokarNiazBaig.
The Naanbai Association and local vendors have warned that operating at old rates is no longer sustainable. With the cost of a commercial cylinder rising by over Rs3,500 this month alone, tandoor owners have begun adjusting their prices.
An office-bearer of the association told this scribe that a meeting held between Advisor to CM and DG Food about increase in price of roti in the wake of LPG price hike. He added that we are assured to resolve the issue. The provincial government essentially wants to bring back LPG price, he added.
Aftab Gill admitted that significant increase in the prices of tandoori roti and naan has been witnessed across the city due to ongoing Sui gas load shedding and a massive rise in LPG prices.
Tandoor owners at their own have responded to these unprecedented energy cost pressures by raising the prices of tandoori roti and naan by Rs5 to Rs10, depending on the location and type of roti. The association have yet not announced escalated rates of tandoori roti and naan in the provincial metropolis, he made it clear.
He lamented that the price of LPG is out of control it is being sold from 480 rupees to 540 rupees per kg. Every shop has different rates for LPG and the expensive gas has exacerbated problems. Inflation has already made life miserable, gas doesn't reach homes and people are forced to rely on food from market.
Despite official government orders fixing the price of tandoori roti at Rs14, oven owners left with no option but to sells tandoori roti at Rs16 to Rs20, while naan is priced between Rs25 and Rs35.
On the other hand, the electricity shortfall has swelled to 1,000 megawatts in areas being fed by Lesco. Power is continuously being cut off intermittently in the city. Up to six hour of electricity suspensions are being witnessed in the provincial metropolis, making lives of ordinary people like hell.
