Bakeries fail to pass on flour price reduction to customers

Rawalpindi : The Punjab government has reduced the prices of 'atta' (flour) and 'fine flour' (Meda) by 30 to 40 percent, but bakery and sweet items are still being sold at high prices.

The government has decreased the price of a 20-kilogram bag of 'Atta' by Rs1000 to Rs1300 and the price of a 20-kilogram bag of 'fine flour' (Meda) by Rs1400. Despite the close connection between bakery and sweet businesses and the reduced prices of 'Atta' and 'Fine', the owners are still selling their products at exorbitant rates. For instance, a 1-kilogram mix sweet is being sold for Rs1500 to Rs 2000, while bakery items are also being sold at high prices.

After negotiations with bakery associations and various brands, the Punjab government has managed to reduce the price of large bread (725-750g) by Rs30 and small bread (375-400g) by Rs20. Additionally, a discount of Rs5 has been applied to all kinds of buns, and a Rs10 decrease has been made for a 200-gram pack of rusk. The prices of other bakery products have also been reduced in proportion to the reduction in the prices of wheat flour and other wheat by-products.

The Punjab Food Minister, Bilal Yasin, has announced that the price cuts in bakery products will be implemented immediately and will be applicable to all brands and local bakery products across the province. The Punjab Food Authority will be responsible for ensuring the quality and availability of the products, while the district administration, industries, and food department will ensure the implementation of the price cuts.

A survey by 'The News' revealed that small bread is being sold at Rs140 to Rs170, large bread at Rs190 to Rs220, all kinds of biscuits at Rs1600 to Rs2000 per kilogram, buns at Rs70 to Rs100, cream rolls at Rs90, one pound cake at Rs1000, and pastry at Rs120 to Rs150. A 1-kilogram mix sweet is being sold at Rs1500 to Rs2000.

People from all walks of life have urged the local administration in Rawalpindi to take strict action against bakery and sweet sellers to immediately reduce their prices.