Doubling of Kashmiri ‘Kandur Tchout’ Prices Sparks Outrage Amid Rising Costs
Srinagar 25, Dec: The price of the traditional Kashmiri bread, Kandur Tchout, has doubled from Rs 5 to Rs 10, sparking widespread concern across the Valley. The bread, a staple for breakfast and afternoon essential with Kashmir’s pink Nun Chai, has been a dietary cornerstone for generations. However, the sharp price increase is placing a significant financial burden on families, particularly those already struggling with low incomes.
The Kashmir Bread Makers and Bakers Union, led by its president, Sofi Abdullah Majeed Pampori, defended the price hike, citing escalating costs of essential ingredients like flour and ghee, as well as increased labour expenses. Pampori explained that the decision to raise prices was taken after extensive deliberations and had been communicated to the authorities.
“The cost of production has skyrocketed, leaving us no choice but to adjust prices. Bakers have the right to determine the cost of their products, and this decision is based on economic necessity,” Pampori stated.
The move, however, has drawn criticism from residents, many of whom are finding it difficult to manage household expenses in the wake of the hike. Kulsum Jan, a resident of Beerwah, voiced her frustration: “Doubling the price is too much. Spending Rs 50 for five rotis, which used to cost Rs 25, is beyond what most families can afford. A smaller increase would have been understandable, but this is unacceptable.”
Sajad Ahmad, a daily wage worker from Srinagar, echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the hike disproportionately affects the economically disadvantaged. “For those earning just Rs 200 or Rs 300 a day, this hike is unsustainable, especially during the winter months when expenses are already high. The government must intervene to set a fair and affordable price,” he urged.
Despite the backlash, the bakers maintain that the increase is justified given the economic pressures they face. Meanwhile, calls for government intervention to regulate prices have grown louder, as residents fear the impact of the hike on their already strained finances.
