Khaleej Times

DUBAI/ABU DHABI, Oct 25: Low and middle income residents in the UAE, especially expatriates, were reworking their budget yesterday as freshly baked tandoori roti and parathas (Indian breads) — staple food of people from the subcontinent — became dearer.

And the worst is that the prices of wheat flour, milk powder and edible oils are likely to go up in the coming days, which will have a domino effect on the prices of rotis, breads and confectionery. Indian and Pakistani food joints have hiked prices of tandoori rotis from 75 fils to Dh1 per piece.

This is the second increase in the price of roti in six months. Earlier, the price was 50 fils per piece. The price of popular ‘parathas’ has also gone up by 25 fils to 75 fils a piece. The hikes are not limited to these two. Even curries and side dishes that are consumed with these breads too have become costlier by 50 fils to Dh1 in the eateries across Dubai.

While the restaurant owners blame the rising cost of ingredients and sky-rocketing rents, residents, especially the low income people, said it has hit their budget badly.

Saboor Khan, a Pakistani driver in Dubai, said: “We are trying to make both ends meet with our meagre incomes. It is hard to cope with the high living cost in the emirate. Roti is a staple food for us. In six months, the price has doubled. It affects everybody.”

“I am a bachelor and don’t have the facility to cook in my room. So I don’t have any other choice than dine at the eateries. The price increase is going to bleed me,” he added.

Ravi Rajan, an Indian labourer in Sonapur, echoes the sentiment. “Buying a few rotis was the cheapest way of dining for us. The price hike will definitely drive a hole in our pockets.”

The owner of  Al Talib Indian restaurant said: “We were forced to increase the price of rotis, porotas and side dishes because the prices of ingredients have gone up again. Though the prices were hiked six months back, the cost of ingredients has gone up drastically now. We could not have run the business without increasing the prices.”

A Pakistani national who runs a tandoor shop selling rotis in Deira said even after the last price hike, he had not made any profit as the prices of ingredients kept going up.

“I don’t want my customers to be unhappy. But I don’t have a choice,” he added.

Meanwhile, market sources in Abu Dhabi told Khaleej Times that the prices of wheat flour went up substantially with effect from yesterday. They said prices of other essential items such as milk powder and edible oil would be increased in the next couple of days.

“The main reason cited for the substantial hike is the appreciation of Euro against a weakening dollar, which has made the importers and distributors unable to absorb the huge impact, says a trader.

The 50kg bag of wheat flour saw an increase of Dh31, rising to Dh111 from previous Dh80, which is having a domino effect as bakeries have hiked the prices of breads and confectioneries.

One insider feared consumers should not rule out yet another substantial increase in the prces of wheat flour from now to December.

The suppliers of milk powder and edible oils have informed the retailers of their plans to increase the prices by 30-35 per cent and 20-25 per cent, respectively, depending on the brands.

India may lift ban on rice export today

Meanwhile, the Indian Union Cabinet is likely to lift the ban on the export of Matta rice, which will benefit a big consumer group who use it as the main food.

In the past week, the prices of Matta rice and its alternative Thai rice rose by 30-35 per cent in retail shops on fears of shortage of supplies, creating fury among the south Indian community.

Non-resident Indians in the UAE had complained to Indian Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, who was on a visit here.

The minister brought the matter to the knowledge of Indian Prime Minister who, it is learnt, has taken a decision to lift the ban, which will be announced after the cabinet meeting today.

A trader told Khaleej Times that those stockists who have held large quantities of rice in anticipation of further price hikes would bring it into the market in two-three days, which will help bring down prices to the previous levels.

PRICE SHOCK
Items                           Previous rate   Present rate

Tandoori roti:                 75 fils                Dh1

Paratha:                        50 fils                75 fils

Wheat flour (50kg):         Dh80                 Dh111

UAE: Death Sentence Sought for Boy’s Rape Suspects
Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 25: The Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday started the trial hearings of three UAE nationals, I.M. (15), A.A. (35), and A.G. (19), who allegedly kidnapped and raped a 15-year-old boy and French national, APC, in July this year.

The victim and his friend had left a beach café in Dubai to find a taxi. However, I.M. who was in the vicinity and who knew the victim greeted him and offered them a ride. After about 15 minutes, I.M. called the two other suspects who told the victim they have to go to some other place before they will drop him. They then drove towards Ibn Batutta mall.

However, APC whose suspicions were aroused called 999. I.M. and the two other accused who heard him talking to the police snatched the mobile phone and abused and threatened the French teenager. The three accused then drove to a deserted area in Al Barsha and APC’s friend to step out. They then threatened APC at knife-point and raped him.

Later, I.M. called his cousin to come to help pull out the car that had got stuck in loose sand. APC was to hide inside the car and not to raise any kind of alarm. APC was later dropped near the Beach Hotel in Jumeirah and immediately called his friend to inform him of what had happened.

During yesterday court hearing the Public Prosecution requested the court to sentence all three suspects to death. However, all three accused have pleaded not guilty on both counts of kidnapping and rape.

The next court hearing has been fixed for October 31.